thisisisis is a project visualizes an investigation. A detailed investigation into history, politics, media and design. Starting from looking for credible sources to generate content, and ending at selecting the appropriate and legible symbol to signify footnotes.
/ november 2015
RESEARCH
This research on war, aircrafts and bombs and death took place during San Francisco fleet week – this combination gave me chills; I realized we are directly influenced by global politics more than we actually think. One question I kept asking myself through the process is how do I convey this significant information in the most effective manner given the medium and topic? I understood that basic simplicity naturally would not apply. Once half way into my research, I began developing ideas of layout and hierarchy. I know that the timeline would run in parallel with another hierarchic system, and vertically that the years would be grouped. I was also considering diagraming the involvement of countries over the years, which I later translated into the flags.
photo courtesy of David Asari
photo courtesy of David Asari
photo courtesy of David Asari
PROCESS
The timeline was constructed like a cake. The foundation began with the timeline content I had researched. Next came in the row of flags, headline summary, image, image capture, and appendix. My initial drafts led me to doubt the medium I chose; print. Why? It was not a decision I thoroughly examined at first, but I knew I wanted impact and the presence of thisisisis in an environment. As my timeline began gaining density, I considered changing the medium to on screen, where scroll would create interaction, although it would probably end up not as impactful. Inspired by newspapers, I thought of combining the function with the form of this diagram, and the solution was to fold. The fold gives this document multi-functions, where it could be read individually and flipped through, or spread out for exposure to group audiences. Working with this double-applicable scale was typographically a challenge. I intended for the timeline to have a life on a classroom wall, and in someone’s hand as they’re taking the subway to work. Eventually I had also discovered the opportunity the folded diagram had to unfold a narrative.
photo courtesy of David Asari
photo courtesy of David Asari
News Print Edition
photo courtesy of David Asari
