Final Project Rationale

Group Rationale:
For our final project in Visual Communication, we chose to represent our design on a cardboard box. We knew from the beginning that we wanted to depict what we had learned on a 3-dimensional object, because we felt it would be the best way to show the various aspects of what we needed to include. We also knew that the object needed to be large enough to accommodate all of the appropriate information.
We chose a medium-sized box because a) it is large enough to fit the needed visualizations and b) because it had the proper amount of sides (we had chosen to break up the course into four separate sections--maps, terms and definitions, key terms, and charts/graphs; thus, the box's 6 sides were more than enough for us to display our topics). Though we knew we would later cover the box in various types of graphics, we realized that to leave the box in stock shape would not be very visually stimulating. As such, we spray-painted it with a base coat of green, adding yellow, red, and blue accents.
We then split up the assignment into four parts, since there were four of us, and each took the topic with which we felt the most comfortable. From here, it was easy to create visualizations using text and pictures, and organizing them into a visually appealing package. Each side is also somewhat different, reflecting our own unique styles and providing some visual interest. Though we initially began the project individually, we were able to successfully come together in the end and create a unified product. Our "aha" moment probably occurred when we tried to lay out our respective visuals; some of them didn't fit, and we had to collaborate and re-print or re-draw some of the subjects for them to work together more cohesively.


Individual Rationale:
For the final project, since we split up the 4 sections we chose between the 4 members, I was in charge of the maps. I didn't have any problems with choosing what maps to include because we only had so many, but I did decide to go into more detail about some of the maps we didn't discuss as much. We talked a lot about mind, concept, and affinity maps, so I was sure to include enough information on them. However, in my notes I also found geographic, topographic, and process maps. I did a little more investigating on those topics and decided to include them as well. I guess that would be my "ah-hah!" moment, because it was when I figured out what else to use to fill the blank space on our box. I was most intrigued by the process maps, because of the way it's used with many businesses. This is probably due to the fact that I'm a business major, but none-the-less it was something new to me.
As far as the group work goes, I didn't feel that we ran into any speed bumps at all. We were able to communicate effectively, which allowed us to split up the work and collaborate when necessary. I feel that we were successful in showing the material that was stressed the most in class, and I was actually pretty impressed at how aesthetic the project came out too. Overall, the project went very smoothly.