Untitled

[factorfactor-blog]

As the picture shows, I have begun to analyze the Massachusetts Dental Society database to obtain statistics regarding the population of members that accept the MassHealth insurance program.  This is not the format which I plan to use for my infographic, however the executive director of MDS asked that I provide him with a spreadsheet that stratifies district and specialty for all MDS members and non members.  He will be handing out this spreadsheet in his meetings with employees, as well as preliminary meetings with state legislators. 

Unfortunately, this spreadsheet took me significantly longer than I expected it would, as the database that I am analyzing is highly unorganized.  A large number of members did not have their correct licenses inputted, and there is no unique identification number to sort them by.  I also needed to remove all of the retired dentists, as they are still in the MDS database when they do not actually represent the population of practicing dentists.  Furthermore, there were a large number of duplicate and misspelled entries that I needed to fix.  In a small sample size this is easy, but is very difficult when a database has upwards of 4,000 members. This spreadsheet alone took me upwards of five hours to create, when it would have taken me one to two if I did not need to cleanse the database before creating it. I am working on another spreadsheet that calculates statistics relative to license issue date and gender.  The executive director does not want a handout of these, but would like them included in the final product of the infographic.  Once again, this will involve cleansing a large and highly unorganized portion of the database.

In regards to the spreadsheet, each column is one of the 14 districts that Massachusetts is separated into.  I highlighted alternating columns in blue to give it more contrast and make it more accessible for the part of my audience that has some form of visual impairment.  For each district, I have then stratified the members by their specialty of dental work.  The percentage shown in each specialty is the percentage of MDS members of that specialty and located that district that are currently accepting MassHealth insurance.  The numbers below the percentages are the numbers that accept MassHealth and the numbers that don’t.  After discussing with the director of dental practice, we felt that it was misleading to not show the numbers themselves in the spreadsheet breakdown because some of the percentages are misleading when the sample sizes are excessively small. However, the director of dental practice would not like me to go into this great of depth when I create the infographic itself.

When I now go ahead and create my infographic, I plan to use a graphic design program. At the request of the director of dental practice, I am going to the infographic to highlight the portions of the MDS member population to show that MDS members are accepting MassHealth as favorably as possible.  The purpose of this infographic is to help show the state legislature that a law allowing dental hygienists to perform dental work is unnecessary. I plan to use a font type that is aesthetically pleasing, but powerful.  I also plan to use images that help accomplish this goal.

I would also appreciate it if this chart, as well as the work I am doing be kept confidential.  While there is no member specific sensitive information, this is not a public database that I am analyzing, and I am not yet sure if the Massachusetts Dental Society will be releasing this data to the public. I understand that Tumblr is a public forum, but I do not plan on giving out the address of my Tumblr account to any outside parties. I have no problem sharing this with my group members within the context of this project, however. Just want to be careful!

[infographicplacedotcom]

New Post has been published on http://infographicplace.com/infographic-risks-hazards-commercial-kitchens/

Infographic: The Risks and Hazards in Commercial Kitchens

Commercial kitchens are exposed to a number of risks and hazards – from burns, cuts, and fractures to electrocution, slips, and fatigue. Identifying and minimising the risk of injury in a commercial kitchen will keep your staff safer and happier. Is your restaurant kitchen waiting for an accident to happen?

Infographic: The Risks and Hazards in Commercial Kitchens

[factorfactor-blog]

I really like the way this piece includes significant depth of information. The design of this piece really helps the author accomplish the purpose. I was having trouble picturing how I could include some depth of information while maintaining visual aesthetics. I like the way things still really stand out, but there is still tons of quality information here.

[wordsthatbeginwithyou]

9 Benefits of CRM Software [Infographic] http://ift.tt/1QQUHK9

[factorfactor-blog]

This piece is a very close to what I am envisioning for my informative piece. I am going to explain the benefits of accepting mass health as an insurance provider, and I think that this format works very well at explaining benefits and making them pop out to the eye.

[giraffuck-blog]

Check the following infographic to learn more about the ABC diet!

[factorfactor-blog]

I really like the way this piece has a step by step approach. I think this would work very well for my informative piece, and blends the content-concept very well.

[churchmag]

The Rise of Mobile vs Desktop [Infographic] http://cmag.to/1nLXbma

[factorfactor-blog]

I found this infographic to be a great representation of what I am envisioning for my infographic. I like the way the major points are emphasized, wall the smaller points are still included. Additionally, I also think the graph also helps the author accomplish their purpose.

[infographicjournal]

Pet Insurance 2016 Statistics

Full size infographic - http://infographicjournal.com/pet-insurance-2016-statistics/

[factorfactor-blog]

I think that this piece is a good idea of what I’d like my informative work to look like.  I like the way it is structured, and I think it is aesthetically pleasing.  Although this piece is regarding pet insurance, many of the same principles apply to dental insurance. 

[data-for-breakfast]

The divorce process starts with the filing of a petition. It can end with a final hearing if mediation is not successful. Learn about what happens between these two steps in this infographic from a divorce lawyer in Cumming!

[factorfactor-blog]

Although this does not represent the actual content I will be using, this guide to the divorce process is similar to what I am visualizing for the instructive I will be creating.  I like the step by step process this instructive follows, and the way it is augmented with pictures. I think this format would be very easy for dentists to follow as they learn how to enroll in the MassHealth program.

[infographicjournal]

Skills Gap – A Rising Threat to Industries & Economies

Full size infographic - http://infographicjournal.com/skills-gap-a-rising-threat-to-industries-economies/

[factorfactor-blog]

For the infographic, I thought this was a great example.  I like the color schemes and the infographic does a good job at having the more important details stand out.  I am looking to create something similar to this for my project regarding MassHealth participation in the Massachusetts Dental Society.

[factorfactor-blog]

Please note and account for (record your responses) to the following: Who do you think the audience is and their motivation for accessing this text? Based on what tells you this?

Ø  The text that I chose is a skiing trick tip video.  It is hosted on youtube by Momentum Ski Camp, which is linked to from a media tab on the Momentum Ski Camp website.  The audience of this video is up and coming terrain park skiers who are looking to learn new tricks.  Their motivation for accessing the text is that they want to try new tricks and do not want to injure themselves.  Given the extreme nature of freestyle skiing, it is important to learn new tricks from people who have already mastered them. 

Are you able to “read” it (read being abstract because you might have to look differently or watch or listen)? 

Ø  Yes, I am able to read the text.  The video is easy to understand, however it may be too simplified for many viewers.  Nevertheless, for the audience that would actually go out and try these tricks, they understand exactly what the skiers are saying. 

What meaning or content do you take away from it? How do the features of the text impact your reading either by guiding or obstructing?

Ø  The meaning I take away from this text is how to approach performing a flatspin 540 on skis.  The features of the text help me by guiding me visually. If this was simply a written guide of how to perform a flatspin 540, I doubt it would be nearly as effective.  Actually watching a skier perform a flatspin 540 helps the audience visualize and guide what they will soon be trying.

Using the best practices for creating accessible digital texts, assess the text on (all that are applicable):

 Layout and design

Ø  The use of youtube allows viewers to easily navigate throughout the text.  They can pause, play, or rewind the video to a specific point they would like to watch again.

Interactivity

  Ø   In addition to the ability to navigate throughout the text through youtube’s controls, the viewer can also submit comments and feedback to the publisher of the video through private messages.

Audio

Ø  There is closed captioning available, however the words do not all match what the skier in the video is explaining.  For example, the skier says tricks and the closed captioning says tracks.  Nevertheless, closed captioning is available and, for someone who knows skiing, is not hard to interpret correctly.

Video

Ø  This video is in the form of a high definition mp4.  It lacks potential seizure and migraine triggers, and the closed captioning is available as a transcript, which further increases the readability and accessibility of the text.

[factorfactor-blog]

I recreated the movie poster by utilizing Chip Kidd’s light and dark form concept.  This has a significant effect on what the poster communicates.  The darkness of the image indicates that the movie is not solely comprised of happy scenes.  Rather, it portrays a sense of suspense, and makes the viewer think that the movie has dark undertones, and may be scary at times.  If I were to look at this movie poster without knowing what the movie was about, I would think that many people die over the course of the movie, whereas the original poster gives a sense of exploration and scientific adventure. This also makes the viewer think that there might be some sort of aliens or creatures that pop out and scare you in the middle of the movie. While this may not be necessarily true, it would certainly keep the audience on their toes.  Personally, I do wish there were aliens incorporated in the movie.

To create this, I used an online photo editor and applied a number of filters, while removing the text and replacing it. The process was fairly simple.  I was actually very surprised with the effectiveness of the result.  If I was able to, I would modify the text that says “The Martian” so that it would be sideways like the original poster.  I also think a different typeface may be more ideal for this poster, but I could not seem to find one that would best fit the light-dark concept. However, I do think that my intended meaning of creating dark undertones and a vibe that aliens might be included was successful.

In reflection, I believe this exercise was fruitful.  While I was highly skeptical at first, I think that performing this exercise has allowed me to see how different form concepts can truly provide an entirely different meaning to the same media.  I plan on taking this into account during future endeavors within this class, as well as any forms of graphic design that I create both in my studies and professional life.

[factorfactor-blog]

Original poster

The Martian is one of my favorite movies because I think it really depicts the struggles of colonizing on Mars.  Nevertheless, with advancements in modern technology and science, I think it is inevitable that we will have people living on Mars by the end of the 21st century.  I also love Matt Damon and I think he did a great job depicting the psychological struggles of living alone for a year on a planet with no contact to the outer world.

[factorfactor-blog]

Reflection - Week 2

The posts that I chose for this weeks collection, curation, and creation blog are all caught my eye in different ways.  The first post, of street art, was very appealing to me because I think it is very relevant to this years presidential election.  In my opinion, politicians make consistently ludicrous promises that will never pan out or be acted upon.  While logic would tell us that the politicians know they are providing false promises, the amount that these politicians preach them over and over again almost appears to make them believe the promises themselves. I also thought the form of this piece of artwork was interesting and helps it serve its purpose.  By taking the form of a child editing current street art, it helps convey the message that even children are fed up with the political arena of today.

The second post that I chose is highly unique.  This post involves a skier attaching fishing string to an Iphone and swirling it around his head.  The reason that this particular gif is going viral is not because of the quality of the skiing taking place.  Sure, the skier is skiing like a true expert, but the reason I have seen this GIF all over the internet is because the skier has developed a new form of capturing his skiing. 

The third post that I reblogged is one of the most fascinating pieces of artwork I have seen to date.  It appears to have been designed in multiple stages in a warehouse, and is a highly detailed visualization of how blood flows in and out of a heart as it pumps. If this piece of art was just a static picture, it really would not have the same effect.  By using the form of a GIF, the artist is able to take multiple pictures and repaint the wall and piping between each picture.  I am curious of the purpose that the author had intended for this particular work of art.  This must have taken a considerable amount of time and energy, so I wonder if it was truly just meant to become an internet meme available for free to the masses, or if the artist was paid to produce it.  Nevertheless, I think it is a beautiful GIF.

The fourth and final post is of a golden doodle puppy.  This puppy looks to be about 12 weeks old and reminds me of how my puppy looked just a couple months ago.  I think it’s impossible for people, even those who are not into dogs, to not fall in love with golden doodles.  Their personalities match their appearance, and they are incredibly affectionate, whilst also being very smart and easily trained.  I’m not sure if the author of this post necessarily had any sort of purpose by creating this media other than to spread the love for golden doodles.  I find myself in a similar seat to the author of this post, as it is nearly  impossible to not snapchat my golden doodle puppy at least once or twice per day.

[anhedonically]

I’m so in love

[iheartswagdouble]

Now That’s What I call ART!

[itscolossal]

WATCH: A Skier Uses an iPhone and Sling to Film Dramatic ‎360° Footage of Himself While Skiing [video]

[love-personal]

[factorfactor-blog]

Reflection

The media that I have reblogged were done so for various reasons. The first post that I made was a picture of a child walking what appears to be a cat on a muddy road on a rather gloomy day.  I found that the text in this post really complements the picture, and visa versa.  The image gives dark undertones but the message is quite the opposite.  This piece essentially says that even with all of the horrible things we have to go through as humans, if we stay young on the inside we can find brightness even in the darkness.

The second post is very eerie.  The picture of the woman without a face is very creepy, and really adds to the effect of the text.  It allows the audience to visualize what the text is saying, and how we are really just the product of all of our experiences and surroundings.  Very few actions that we take are the result of our true, inner self.  I think that the graininess of the image also adds to the creepy vibe, and that the use of all caps in the text really hammers the message home.

The third post is how I feel when I finally get to go skiing.  While many other people are loving this winter due to the warm temperatures, it is killing me on the inside.  I’m an avid skier, and east coast resorts are closing down due to lack of snow during February, which is normally peak season.  I’m going out to Colorado in the end of March, so this post really got me thinking about the trip I have planned.

The fourth and final post encapsulates how I feel when the week is over and I still have homework assignments to do.  I know it is the fault of my own procrastination habits, however the procrastination builds up until it explodes on me.  I think that this media uses a color scale that really adds to the effect of the image.The dark blue color of the collar and bow tie really complements the red tint of the smoke.

All of the posts that I reblogged have the potential to influence me as a designer.  I think these posts really highlight the capability of color to add effect to a piece.  Additionally, I think that the use of all caps in the captions of the pieces with text really highlight how different font types, styles, and sizes can change the entire message of a post.