Infographics as a means of astronomical concepts visual interpretation in web design
Students Name: Selivanov Ivan Serhiiovych
Qualification Level: master (ESP)
Speciality: Design
Institute: Institute of Architecture and Design
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2019-2020 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: Selivanov I.S., Melnyk O.Y. (supervisor), Proskuriakov O.V. (supervisor). Infographics as a means of visual interpretation astronomical concepts in web design. Master’s thesis. — Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, 2020. Extended abstract Information plays an important role in the life of every modern person because it allows him to constantly solve their problems and achieve their goals. However, our time is extremely oversaturated with it, which in turn creates a problem of perception and assimilation of information. Infographics are an effective means of visualizing information about the surrounding reality that contributes to its proper perception and the formation of relevant ideas and knowledge. In particular, this applies to astronomy, the science of space, which has long attracted the attention of both professional researchers and ordinary citizens. Since the infographics emerges as a means of graphical interpretation of data around the world, numerous scientific studies have been conducted on its individual aspects and interdisciplinary links [1–10]. The study object of this research is a popular science infographic website on astronomy. The scope of research are the main approaches to form infographic material and ways to implement it in the context of a popular science website on astronomy based on tracing historic periods from prehistoric to contemporary times and covering all continents. The goal of the research determines the main approaches to form infographic material and ways to implement it in the context of a popular science website on astronomy. The research result determines: 1. The fact that the issue of infographic presentation as a means of presenting data, including astronomical, has been of interest to many theorists and practitioners around the world who have studied its individual aspects. 2. The historical stages of the formation of astronomical infographics. 3. The scope of infographics as a means of conveying visual information, in particular in business, journalism, education, medicine, etc. and their specifics. 4. The concept of “infographics”, in particular, its difference from the data visualization characterized by the most simplified presentation, which does not take into account the design aspect, while infographics are distinguished by its bright visual presentation. There are also some requirements for the design of infographics, among which are the rule of accuracy. 5. The specificity of the composition, and the factors influencing the process of developing infographic content on astronomy. This is directly clear in the early stages when choosing the proper format for presenting content, in particular, vertical or horizontal. Also considered are ways to implement astronomy infographics on the web, in particular in the format of media files uploaded to the appropriate platform, or in the form of a full-fledged website. As a result, among the variety of web resources, the form of a one-page website was chosen as an optimal way to convey information. 6. Factors influencing the formation of infographic content on astronomy, such as understanding the target audience of the website, the goals set before it, the tasks it must perform when interacting with the user, the model of interaction, and forms of its implementation. Features of the organization of astronomical content on the example of projects of infographic websites with the corresponding subjects, in particular such resources as «Cosmos. The infographic book of space »; “If the Moon were only 1 pixel”; OMG Space; the Solar System to scale; “Chrome Experiments — 100,000 Stars”; “Exoplanet Catalog (NASA)”; “NASA Spacecraft” and others, which contributed to the formation of the idea and concept of infographic content and created the appropriate basis for further development of the project proposal in the form of a popular science infographic website on astronomy for school children. 7. The specifics of structuring astronomical content on the example of an infographic website project on a relevant topic, which is to organize the content of the site based on a logarithmic scale of their characteristic physical quantities. The approach in forming the image of an infographic website on astronomy, which, first, involves the development of identity, in particular, the creation of a logo and favicon, search, and selection of appropriate fonts and colors. Software tools and ones related to the development of an astronomy infographic website have been identified. In particular, they were used in the relevant stages of website development. Keywords: infographics, visual interpretation, astronomical concepts, information design, website, web design. References 1. Tufte, Edward R. Envisioning Information. Cheshire: Graphics Press, 1990. 126 p. 2. Tufte, Edward R. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Cheshire: Graphics Press, 2001. 197 p. 3. Tufte, Edward R. Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative. Cheshire: Graphics Press, 1997. 156 p. 4. Jason Lankow, Josh Ritchie, Ross Crooks. Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling. Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2012. 272 p. 5. Waralak V. Siricharoen. Infogragraphics: The New communication Tools in Digital Age. 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