MFA Thesis Documentation↘

InfoScape: Towards New Realities

September, 2023–
May, 2024

A documentation for my study on graphic design, generative design and information architecture. It is revealing the MFA Graphic Design Thesis project process at ArtCenter College of Design (Pasadena, California).

The thesis project was developed in accordance with that research methodology:
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Phase 1. Collecting, Organizing, Analyzing (P1)
Phase 2. Interpretation (P2)
Phase 3. Synthesis (P3)
Phase 4. Application (P4)

Fall 2023

Week 01

September 07–14, 2023

1. Think + Write / Topics + Conversation (P1)

This week, in conversation with the whole thesis team and my group leader(Constantin Chopin), I have learned some basics understanding about a master thesis project:

1. A thesis should mark the beginning of exploration, not just the end, setting the stage for personal future endeavors.
2. Thesis projects should go beyond the basics, emphasizing innovation and critical thinking alongside traditional requirements.
3. Projects should reflect graphic design's unique aesthetics while drawing from other disciplines to enrich their content.
4. Theses should not only be academic but also address real-world challenges, contributing positively to society.
5. The goal is to inspire and provide insights to all audiences, presented engagingly to foster new understandings.

Fall 2023

Week 02

September 14–21, 2023

2. three thesis concepts / Personal Ideology (P1)

01. Beyond Tools (Main Direction)

"Design is becoming more democratized, and the barriers to entry are decreasing as tools are replacing the need for extensive training and creativity among designers.
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02. Information Overload

"Information overload is destroying the real world"

03. language Degeneration

"The phenomenon of language is becoming highly integrated with Internet culture"

(Week 2 Reference Reading)

The master's thesis project emphasizes a high degree of alignment with personal interests and career development, so early in the project, before expanding on the topic, one first needs to complete inward self-exploration and elaboration.

(Graphic Design Ideology Poster, Ze Feng, 2023)

Fall 2023

Week 03

September 21–28, 2023

3. Refinement of concepts (P2)

Beyond Tools

Standpoint:
Design is becoming more democratized, and the barriers to entry are decreasing as tools are replacing the need for extensive training and creativity among designers.

Description：
Within the background of rapid innovation in design tools, graphic designers should undeniably recognize the impact and even the shaping role of tools on the industry. Based on this, InfoScape asked how the development and innovation of post-modern (current) tools (generative, algorithm, machine learning as an example) affects and guides the development of graphic design (typography and the field of image generation as an example)

-Why would this be interesting to the Graphic Design world at large or to other Designers?
The revolution of tools will bring changes to any industry, and even more so in the fast-changing graphic design, always pay attention to the change of tools seems to be the consensus of designers.

-Why does it matter to me?
As a Gen Z designer who grew up in the age of the Internet and the development of modern design tools. On the one hand, It is truly a pity for the unfamiliarity of traditional design methods before the information age, but on the other hand, I am pleased with the moment of drastic change in the industry (the popularization of AI), and by looking back to the past and looking forward to the future, I may be able to provide a practical way of imagining and practicing the tools of the future.

-Why is it relevant or timely now?
The speed at which tool innovations are born and become commonplace is phenomenal, and once a new tool becomes commonplace, the impact on the industry can be disruptive.

-What do you want someone to take away after experiencing it?
As professional designers, there is already a degree of understanding of the evolution of design tools and methods. I hope that people will see in this thesis and practice an exploration of the full range of possibilities for the future of design tool usage and typologies. The ultimate ideal output of such an exploration would be methodology-based generating tools.

-What research needs to happen?
a. On the field of graphic design, the history of the evolution of design tools and their impact on communication, production and education; the current development of tools that influence graphic design methods(in the field of typography and image generation), etc.
b. basic survey with students and graphic designers, cross-media designers and educators.
c. interview with students, graphic designers, cross-media designers, educators.
d. observations and documentations of existing uses of modern tool(AI, algorithms) within a specific purpose/area/environment/context...etc.

(Week 3 Reference Reading)

Fall 2023

Week 04

September 28–October 04, 2023

3. History / Case Study / Refinement of concepts (P2)

InfoScape's research process starts with a broad concept and then refines it to one or a few specific points. In the first few weeks of research, a preliminary idea of a "build a tool" was set up, but it still lacked a context and a specific functional direction. Therefore, from this week onwards, I have been looking back at history, theory studies and case studies to find a feasible direction for the comprehensive study.

(InfoScape: Towards New Realities, Looking Back at Graphic Design)

When we look back, the history of graphic design is a reflection of humanity’s relentless quest for effective communication, intertwined with the evolution of technologies and the shifting landscapes of culture and society. This narrative spans from the ancient caves to the digital screens of today, offering a panoramic view of how visual communication has morphed and adapted through the ages. But we have to recognize that advances in productivity have not necessarily translated into improved quality of information or communication efficiency. On the contrary, its development could very easily have led to today's information overload situation

(InfoScape: Towards New Realities, Visualization of the Theoretical Overlap Part)

In addition, I found in Jean Baudrillard's theory about the four stages of Simulation development in Simulacra and Simulation a strong match with the history of graphic design tool development, which is a good proof that the development of tools lays the foundation for the ease and overload of information generation.

(InfoScape: Towards New Realities, Initial Logic Diagram)

Therefore, starting from a broad concept, InfoScape's initial foundation is based on the above three key points.

After that, Through a series of case studies, I asked questions in order to initially conceptualize the functionality of the tool:
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Q: How do people get information?
Q: What are the principles of information generation?
Q: What are the dimensions of information? Should images and text be discussed together?
Q: What if access to information broke out of two dimensions and made it a dynamic, moldable element, like our human field of vision?
Q: What if the way information is accessed and read is not defined?

Fall 2023

Week 05–Week 07

October 04–November 01, 2023

4. Research, Concept Refinement, Sketching (P2)

Preparation of the mid-term presentation, presentation of the processes and results of the previous weeks' research and what's next. For the early part of my thesis research, I have attempted to answer two key questions:
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-What is this thesis studying?
01. This research is a multi-disciplinary study across the fields of graphic design, information management, philosophical concepts of "simulation" and digital experience.
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-What is the thesis trying to accomplish?
02. The tool was designed to be able to break away from existing ways of presenting information and engage with people more interactively.
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Fall 2023

Week 08–Week 14

November 08–December 20, 2023

5. Conceptualization, visualization, coding study, prototyping(p3)

Thesis 2 Schedule ↘

Zine Design ↘

Process Book Design ↘

Coding Studies ↘

Spring 2024

Week 01–Week 02

January 20–February 09, 2024

6. THesis Abstract / Thesis Statement (P3)

Thesis Abstract↘

In the era of digital proliferation and the dominance of synthetic media, the integrity of cultural narratives encounters unparalleled challenges. 'InfoScape: Towards New Realities' engages with the pressing issues of information overload and the blurring lines between reality and simulation, which pose threats to the authenticity of our cultural fabric. It emphasizes the need for graphic design to play an important role in promoting diversity, authenticity, and accessibility of information through innovative strategies and cross-media narratives amidst the complexity brought about by synthetic media and large amounts of information.

Drawing upon the historical evolution of graphic design tools and Jean Baudrillard's philosophical concepts of Simulation and Simulacra, this thesis delves into the inevitable connections between revolutions in design tools, graphic design, and the saturation of information.
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Furthermore, this thesis introduces InfoScape, an innovative tool for organizing information, crafted to preserve cultural integrity while manag-ing, presenting, and interacting with extensive digital data. Utilizing a comprehensive approach that incorporates functionalities for depth, data, time, and image, InfoScape provides users with a dynamic and interactive strategy for navigating and understanding complex information landscapes.
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Urgency ↘

InfoScape tackles the immediate and pressing challenge of information overload and the distortion caused by synthetic media, which is a pervasive issue in today's digital landscape.
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(InfoScape: Towards New Realities, Updated data on daily information generation on the Internet)

New Territory ↘

It explores the intersection of graphic design, information architecture and cross–media storytelling–a relatively uncharted domain that combines theoretical insights with practical solutions.

How? ↘

InfoScape delivers value by providing a user-friendly platform for navigating complex information, thereby making it easier for individuals to access, understand, and engage with authentic content.

Audience ↘

The primary beneficiaries include academics and researchers, media literacy advocates, public policymakers, educators, and the general public.By enhancing the organization and presentation of information, InfoScape serves a broad audience, aiding in critical thinking, decision-making, and cultural preservation in the digital age.

What does it say about you that's important for a collaborator/client to know?↘

It highlights my commitment to designing solutions that address real-world problems, my ability to think critically about the impact of technology on so-ciety, and my dedication to enhancing information accessibility and integrity.

Thesis Statement↘

InfoScape: Towards New Realities highlights the critical role of graphic designers in addressing information literacy challenges by proposing a series of generative tools that enhance the identification, evaluation, and effective use of information.

Spring 2024

Week 03–Week 04

February 3–February 16, 2024

7. Information theory / conceptualization of functionality

Information  ↘

I am recognizing that increased efficiency in information production often results in information overload, a direct surface result, while information underload represents a deeper and more impactful core issue, often indicating an oversimplification of information content. Many pieces of information we encounter daily lack context, timing, and other prerequisite conditions. Facing such paradoxical circumstances, I drew upon theories like Information Theory and the Concept of Entropy by Claude Elwood Shannon, the Cooperative Principle, Media Richness Theory,   the Dual-Coding Theory by Allan Paivio,  Social Semiotics, and Multimodality to establish six principles ensuring the authority of information: Clarity and Readability, Contextual Relevance, Accuracy of Information, Creativity and Originality, Cultural and Ethical Sensitivity, Functionality and  Usability.
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My Approach to the Problem ↘

I propose a novel approach through InfoScape, which integrates depth, data, time, and image functionalities into a dynamic and interactive information organization tool, demonstrating a unique blend of philosophical theory and practical application.

Spring 2024

Week 05–Week 07

February 17–March 08, 2024

6. MAin Funciton UI/UX

Language ↘

How will our experience and interpretation of text change as it moves beyond traditional plane into multidimensional spaces oras an expansion?

Data ↘

How can data guide content creation to develop dynamic grids that self-organize and adiust based on the processed information?

Time ↘

As time becomes a central dimension of content, how will it alter our visual perception of information flow and evolution?

Image ↘

How to find the delicate balance between the freedom of image creation andthe necessity of structured narratives?

Spring 2024

Week 08–Week 10

March 09–March 29, 2024

8. THESIS BOOK

Spring 2024

Week 11

March 29–April 04, 2024

9. Thesis Poster Design

Spring 2024

Week 12

April 05–April 11, 2024

10. Final Video Shooting / editing

Storyboard ↘

Shooting ↘

Spring 2024

Week 13

April 12–April 18th, 2024

11. Final DELIVERIES

Spring 2024

Week 14

April 19–April 25, 2024

12. Final Presentation

The final presentation signaled the complete conclusion of the project at ArtCenter.

Up to this point, I have reaped substantial rewards in terms of thought logic and research methodologies throughout the progress of this thesis. Unlike the typical role of graphic designers as problem solvers in the context of commercial design, this thesis positioned me as an inquirer and questioner— from identifying problems to proposing solutions, marking a significant leap in my thinking. In the future, I hope people can see through my thesis the responsibility and perseverance I bear as a graphic designer, as well as my spirit of innovation and challenge.

Finally, after graduation, I will continue to explore the visual research aspect of my thesis and open it up for testing by industry designers, aiming to discuss this topic on a larger scale over time.
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Especially Thanks to:
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Constantin Chopin
Brad Bartlett
Samantha Fleming

I also like to thank graphic designer Yi Mao for his master's thesis on "East-West/West-East" for sharing his insights on the thesis process.