Weekly Recap 10/17-10/23

What I did:


1 Hour:  Emailing and networking.
5.5 Hours:  Designing process maps.
.5 Hours:  Planning for December review.


The process maps I designed deal with determining eligibility.  They are from the perspective of a U.S. Citizen trying to petition a family member.  It navigates through who the person is, who they are trying to help, what they are eligible for, and what forms they will need.  Obviously these are still extremely simple but I am trying to define my aesthetic and format to follow for more future designs.

For the December review I would like to have a bunch of these types of maps that could be used for print.  I would like to incorporate more layered information in the future maps such as cost and wait times.  I would also like to have a sample of what I think an interactive map should be.  An outline for the website would be really great too.

What I accomplished / encountered / discovered:

I discovered that there are a million+ options for making "simple" diagrams.  I also discovered that there is a fine line between simple and complex, crowded and spread out.  It is really easy for these maps to turn into really cluttered messes.  I want to have a simple idea but an original way of executing it.

I've also realized that I have been on a roll lately with working.  I enjoy applying all of the research I've done into something visual, it is so much more rewarding. 

I really want to address the idea of not using language.  I really want to work with some symbology in the near future.  The "World Without Words" book by Evamy is a really good resource.

Whats Next:  


More map designing.  More flash tutorials.  More networking and conversations.  More planning for December.  I need to set specific short term goals in order to get all that I want done for the review.