Typography

The use of type in visual communications has infinite possibilities. Words, names and numbers can be seen in terms of the information they convey, but the "form" size and style of the type itself, also communicate a vast amount of information.

Typefaces can be associated with cultures, moods, activities, objects and environments independently from the meaning of the words. The relationships between the meaning of words, the typeface, the location, orientation and the environment they are in, can support or break the readability and legibility of the message. The following examples address the issue of orientation and hierarchy.

Credit Card Data
Colored spheres show approved card holders. Historical information on each card holder can be obtained by clicking on each of the spheres. The three axes show applicant information. The size of the sphere is the salary, and the color is the credit limit for that card holder. A white sphere is used to depict a new applicant. The applicant's credit limit can be determined by the 3D position of that sphere relative to the historical data base information.

The orientation of the text and numerical information seems to be linked to the axis. None of the text (or numbers) are parallel to the ground (relative to the user). The text is not only fixed to the axis, but converges in space. The image uses a three-point perspective directing the text towards those points. One possible objective the designer had in mind was taking advtange of the flexibility of a three dimensional environment with no ground. The user can rotate the image which requires that the information be readable from any angle. The hierarchy of the information comes into question since the solution is user-configurable.

Upside-down map
This is a set of maps of the UK by John Sims. The country is divided in smaller sections, which are color-coded addressing the direction of travel. The typography in these maps is consistent with the navigation. In contrast to the previous example, the designer had the user in mind and the task performed. By eliminating the need to turn the map around, the information is uncluttered and relevant to the task.