OUGD603. Extended Practice. Brief 5: BOULDERING INFOGRAPHICS PACK.

last year one of the project i produced was 'an introduction to bouldering' which aimed at delivering info graphically based user information about bouldering and the techniques and skills involved. it used visual explanation to teach the audience how to climb in bouldering environments. i really enjoyed this project because it gave me a chance to embark on extensive primary research in practicing bouldering. infographic design is also an interest of mine. although i feel as though i answered the brief relatively successfully, the extent to which i took the brief, regarding information presented, level of professionalism, and quantity of outcomes, was not to my full potential. as bouldering is a sport that i enjoy and am interested in, i decided that a more thorough re-do of that brief would give me a chance to really complete it. 

prior to coming to this conclusion, i decided to do an info graphic based brief because it is a practice that i really enjoy and am interested in. i started by doing a spider diagram exploring the theme possibilities.

the suggestion to do an infographic design based on way finding in a carpark or library environment was based on an interest i have in public traffic and movement through a space. i decided against this brief mainly because it would involve a lot of mathematical planning and because it would be less likely that the brief would come to final fruition, being that finding a space to really house the outcomes would be difficult. so i chose the bouldering brief.

i then went on to write the brief properly:

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN	Level	6
Module Code: OUGD603	Module Title: Extended Practice	Learning Outcomes:

BRIEF TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO BOULDERING – INFOGRAPHICS.

Brief: Bouldering is a subsection of climbing that has become a sport in its own right. Focussed on technical traverses, bouldering encompasses considerable muscle capability and controlled finger work. Many people are attracted to bouldering but are often disadvantaged by their lack of understanding or experience, in terms of technique and movement. Design and produce a calculated, highly educational, and engaging series of info graphics designed to help the audience become better at bouldering. Consider the most appropriate format they should come in and how the various components should be housed for accessibility and transport. The set will work best if it is accessible during the users climbing sessions so this should be taken into consideration.

Background: Bouldering, as a sport, has existed for over 50 years and is now a globally recognised sport with world cups, national and international competitions, and a vast array of indoor centres and natural sites. It is recognised for its use in strengthening and acutely toning muscles and developing, in particular, upper body strength. Due to the fact that bouldering requires a supple body and good manoeuvrability, along with a practical understanding of the body movements required to complete a problem, many people struggle at first. It is important that you understand the different moves and techniques in depth, so to pass on the information most successfully.

Considerations: ·       What does the audience need to know to improve at bouldering? ·       What different moves and techniques exist? ·       How should the information be presented? ·       How understandable and useful is it? ·       How will the outcomes be used ‘in the field’? ·       How could they be transportable? ·       Should they be text or image based? ·       What colour might be involved?

Mandatory Requirements: 1.     An info-graphic pack (various components & transportable) that successfully informs and instructs the audience about bouldering. 2.     The involvement of considered working colour.

Target Audience: ·       Those interested in starting bouldering. ·       Bouldering novices. ·       Bouldering intermediates that seek further knowledge and practical understanding.

Tone of Voice: ·       The tone of voice should be highly informative yet simple and understandable. ·       It should aim to verbally/visually illustrate the themes and contents of the info-graphics fully and simply. ·       The tone should be inviting and encouraging.

Deliverables: ·       Primary and secondary research into bouldering and its themes/components evidenced on your blog. ·       Visual exploration into how to illustrate different moves and techniques. ·       Layout and format exploration to achieve the most suited outcomes. ·       The mandatory requirements and final outcomes.

i want to explore every potential outcome possible with this brief. i aim to really understand the needs of the audience and find the best methods of delivery possible. i intend to incorporate the themes and aesthetics related to bouldering to make the project fully relative.