Information Design: Project 1 - Instructable Poster

04/02/2026 - dd/mm/yyyy (Week 1 - Week 14)                                                     

Valerius Ethan Wirawan / 0372774
Information Design / Creative Media / The Design School
Information Design: Project 1 - Instructable Poster

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TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Instruction
2. Process Work
3. Final Outcome
4. Feedback
5. Reflection

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1. INSTRUCTION

Fig. 1.1. Module Information Booklet (MIB)

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2. PROCESS WORK

Project 1 - Instructable Poster (20%)

Task Brief

This task required us to design an infographic poster based on a recipe from the Pasta Grannies YouTube channel. The objective was to visually translate the full recipe into a clear and engaging format, ensuring that the information is effectively communicated while maintaining a strong and cohesive aesthetic.

Work Progress

For this task I used a Friselle recipe from Pasta Grannies, additionally the topping recipe is from an online blog by Giallo Zafferano Cooking Website.

I listed down the steps and combined it into one from the 2 different sources.

I started this task by collecting some references as the main style.

Then I do some sketches for my infographic.

After consulting with Mr. Martin, he approved the direction and advised me to proceed with the first sketch, as he felt the second sketch relied too heavily on square compositions. The first sketch already conveyed a clearer sense of flow.

However, as I continued developing it, I realized that the stacked ingredients style was quite difficult to illustrate and did not effectively communicate the sequence of a cooking tutorial. Due to time constraints, I decided to create a new sketch and proceed with it without further consultation with the lecturer.

Fortunately, I was able to present my work in class and receive feedback from Mr. Martin. He pointed out that the design was too visually noisy due to excessive texture, and that the illustrations felt more like foundational work rather than a refined design. Taking his feedback into account, I immediately created a new sketch and consulted with him again to ensure I was moving in the right direction.

Firstly, I chosed the colours according to the first reference and label it on my sketch so I can visualize more during the process later on. 

Then, I proceeded with the illustration process, mainly using the Pen Tool and Direct Selection Tool. I also labelled each element in detail to maintain clear organization, as the project involved a large number of layers. Here below are the processes (zoomed in)

Here are the layers that i worked on.

After some consultation with Mr. Martin and some classmates, I made a final review and submitted my work.

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3. FINAL OUTCOME

Fig. 3.1. Final Outcome of 'Project 1: Instructable Poster' (JPEG)

Fig. 3.1. Final Outcome of 'Project 1: Instructable Poster' (PDF)

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4. FEEDBACK

Week 4

The lecturer advised me to proceed with the sketch while being mindful of the limited time given for the project.

Week 5
The lecturer questioned why I changed the design without prior consultation and mentioned that the new design was not effective. He explained that the visuals were too noisy due to excessive use of texture, and that the illustrations appeared more like basic foundational work rather than a refined and finalized design.

Week 6
The lecturer mentioned that there were significant improvements in my work compared to the previous week.

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5. REFLECTION

Observation
Throughout this project, I observed that designing an effective infographic requires a balance between visual aesthetics and clarity of information. While references can guide the overall style, they must be adapted carefully to suit the purpose of the design. I also noticed that composition plays a major role in guiding the viewer through the sequence of steps, especially in a cooking tutorial format. Additionally, I realized that excessive use of texture can reduce readability and make the design appear cluttered rather than refined.

Experience
During the process, I faced several challenges in both design direction and decision making. Initially, I followed the approved sketch, but later changed the concept due to difficulties in illustrating the stacked ingredients style. However, making this decision without consulting the lecturer led to negative feedback, which made me realize the importance of communication during the design process. I also struggled with controlling the amount of texture and detail in my work, which resulted in a visually noisy outcome. After receiving feedback, I revised my design by simplifying the visuals and focusing more on clarity and refinement. The illustration process using Adobe Illustrator also required careful organization, as there were many elements to manage.

Findings
From this project, I learned that clarity should always be prioritized over excessive decoration in infographic design. Strong visual hierarchy, composition, and simplicity are key to effective communication. I also found that seeking feedback consistently is important to avoid going in the wrong direction. In addition, proper planning and time management can help reduce the need for major changes during the process. Overall, this project helped me understand the importance of refining ideas and making design decisions that support both aesthetics and functionality.