The Hollywood effect – Infographics for the People

HOW MOVIES INFLUENCE THE REAL WORLD OF INFORMATION DESIGN.

Ironman1

(From “The Avengers.” © Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures. See more at: http://cargocollective.com/jayse/Avengers)

I love Hollywood. Every blockbuster fantasy film contains intricate data visualizations and info-interfaces. Huge floating displays, packed with every type of information. Charts are building all over the place, with menus, icons, rotating globes, multiple camera feeds, dashboards, and so on. Even science fiction films that get a mediocre review are a complete hit for me, providing that there’s the usual CGI vision of a future filled with infographics.

The problem is that, obviously, it’s all just for the effect. The creators can do pretty much whatever they want. Nothing is on screen long enough for us to really analyze it. We just see a few key words and the very convincing-looking visuals that go with them. Most of it is very beautiful too. It’s the info-driven world of tomorrow.

Oblivion1

(From “Oblivion.” © Universal Pictures. See more at: http://www.gmunk.com/OBLIVION-GFX)

So what’s the problem with Hollywood doing its thing? Of course, inside the movie theater it’s all perfectly fine, but in my world, every part of a presentation should be delivering something worth absorbing. I think there is a carry-over from Tinseltown to the real world of information design. There are so many graphics (especially in corporate areas) that are just an exercise in infographic styling. I’ve been asked many times to do this kind of thing myself. (Full disclosure: I’ve gone ahead and done my share. Apologies for that.) A lot of clients think that as long as the visualization looks like it is in the language of information graphics, then everything’s great. Unfortunately, there is often not much happening in terms of clarity or explanation.

But… I still love those movies.

Oblivion2