Game Design 2 (2013): Lecture 9 - Micro and Macro Design for Game Communication
1 like2,749 views
This document discusses micro and macro readings, which involve visualizing data at multiple levels within a single image. Micro readings show detailed low-level data, while macro readings provide a high-level overview. The document provides many examples of how micro and macro readings can be used, such as showing both local detail and regional breakdown on maps, or displaying individual names and overall numbers of casualties. Both the advantages and challenges of micro and macro readings are examined.
Game Design 2 (2013): Lecture 9 - Micro and Macro Design for Game Communication
- 1. 2013 Game Design 2 Lecture 9: Micro / Macro Readings http://gcugd2.com david.farrell@gcu.ac.uk
- 2. Micro / Macro Readings ‘A method for presenting large quantities of data at high densities in a way that a broad overview of the data is given and yet an immense amount of detail is provided.’ Ruddle 2002
- 3. Definition • Visualising data at two levels in one image • Micro Data (low level detail) • Macro Data (high level detail) • User / Viewer can get a rough idea at a glance but also see detailed information
- 5. Layering & Separation? • Layering & Separation == multiple types of information + how to separate • Micro & Macro == multiple scales of information
- 6. Spatial • Maps can show geographical breakdown of a location as well as local detail • Geometry of land mass as well as regional breakdown.
- 7. §
- 9. 4th Dimension • More subtle macro readings can look into time.
- 11. • The circular layout of the centre of Senlis shows its history as a Gallo-Roman fortification.
- 14. • Glasgow’s industrial history, built around the River Clyde is apparent by the density on its shore. • Stirling borders a river but the lack of focus shows its different history.
- 15. Symbolic Use • Micro / Macro design is not always geographic. • This poster shows that from the work of many hands, one great plan will be fulfilled.
- 16. Character Design • In games, it is often possible to read many scales of information from looking at a character: • character class, team, attack, defence, health etc.
- 18. Combining M/M & L&S • The London Air Quality Network website has to provide a very dense set of data in an intuitive interface. • They layer user interface elements over a rich map which shows different types of data as well as different scales of data. • http://bit.ly/londonair
- 22. Meaning through Scale • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial achieves its visual and emotional strength through micro / macro design. (Tufte, p43)
- 24. • 58,000 dead soldiers • scale can be seen at a distance • Individual names up close • Ordered by date of death
- 25. Relative Data • http://bit.ly/billiondollargram • Shows spend / cost in billions from US budget and events • Can see immediately highest spent areas • Can also see actual numbers
- 28. Stem and Leaf • Like a bar chart / histogram but uses the space that would normally be used by solid blocks of colour.
- 29. 218 Mountains •d
- 30. • Glance tells distribution • Analysis provides more • Scale given • Necessary to round
- 31. 292 Trains
- 33. • 777 more characters • hard to see how frequently trains leave at a given hour • rush hour? • 11pm trains?
- 34. Stem & Leaf Improve? • How can you modify the stem & leaf plot to show more information (such as platform number)?
- 35. Back to Back S&L
- 36. Missile or Toothbrush? • 7000 objects > 10 cm in diameter in space • rocket engines, bin bags, frozen sewage, shrapnel from tests, 1 wrench and 1 toothbrush • Only 5% are functional satellites • Necessary to track for safety of launches
- 39. • Note the ring on the second image. • this is the geostationary orbit used by satellites • The scale of the problem can be seen, not only in overall but also in terms of orbit height and relative density of areas.
- 40. Why Micro & Macro? • We thrive in information rich contexts • Visually rich displays are not only appropriate to convey information but are often the optimal way to do so.
- 41. • If information is spread over multiple screens, the user needs to keep that information in memory • If information is condensed into one screen / graphic, it only requires understanding.
- 42. • Micro / Macro designs enforce local and global comparisons but do so without the need to context switch. • Power is given to the user to decide what level of detail is required.
- 43. Downsides of M/M • creating good Micro / Macro design is hard. • it is easier to have one display for each scale of data. • it may be necessary to gather or process more data (e.g. stem plot vs bar chart) • it may be difficult to blend the scales together.
- 44. Too complicated? • Don’t forget that the data is never the problem. ‘Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information‘ (Tufte)