Visualizing Complex Ideas
In History and Interpretation of Innovation in the Design Management program at SCAD, we visualized complex ideas through posters. They needed to accurately summarize the complex idea or text while synthesizing the information both textually and visually in a way that is easily understandable. These provide example for the way strong storytelling and narrative can translate difficult texts into more easily understandable information through visual design.
Based on the work of Lauriston Sharp, this poster illustrates the complicated relationship the Yir Yiront had with the stone axe and ultimately the steel axe.In the Steel Axes reading, the Yir Yiront people were introduced to steel axes which had marginal benefits over their stone axes, yet the diffusion of this innovation caused the degradation of their sacred culture.
I chose an illustrative, storytelling approach to follow the narrative nature of the text.
It demonstrated the concept of unintended consequences, which is when a innovation produces unanticipated consequences that were not predicted or properly considered when being created and diffused.
Based on the work of John Law, In the Portuguese Expansion reading, Portugal was able to dominate trade not because of one factor or another, but every part of the system working together to produce those results.
I chose a gamified approach to the text as a way to best communicate the concept of systems perspective. This is a lens through which to view and analyze innovation, in which one takes account of all different aspects of a system within the context of it’s environment. It involves taking a non-reductionist approach, in which every part of the system works in con- junction with each other rather that separately.
For my final innovation poster, I illustrated a tool we use frequently to research and analyze an innovation or organization from a macro level. The P.E.S.T.E.L. analysis uses factors of Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal. It can used alongside other strategic frameworks. This can help us understand how an innovation is compatible and let us understand the consequences it can cause.
