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Downloadable Resources
The Five Design Sheet Methodology
Method sheet with basic information regarding how to use the FDS methodology.
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Sketching Designs for Information Visualization the five design-sheet (FDS) approach
Teaching resource for use with students, and individuals new to the FDS methodology. Resource includes a detailed overview of each of the 5 sheets, and an overview of the FDS design stages.
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Sheet 1
The idea of brain-storming is to enlarge the design space of possibilities. There should be a focus on quantity - to generate all the possible designs. This may, or may not, be a group activity. Brain-storming on one's own can be likewise rewarding. Also, software can be used to help in the process (such as the use use of mind-map software can help users order their thoughts and ideas around a topic). But in this work we advocate sketching as the principle design tool.
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Sheets 2/3/4
The three individual design sheets are to record three ideas from the initial brain-storming exercise. The use of the number three is for guidance only. But, it is recommended that three design sheets are created. Too few designs mean that it is difficult to have a discussion with the client. Too many and it would waste the clients time. It may be that there are only two sensible designs, but it would be better to create a third design, however unusual or unfeasible it seems, because the client may be able to see or extend the ideas through discussion. They may be able to see an application of the idea further than you can.
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Sheet 5
This is the realization design. This is what you think (at this stage of development) the visualization tool may look like, what specific visualization technique it principally uses and how users operate it (what functions it provides). The differences with Sheet 5 and sheets 2,3,4 is that the Discussion is exchanged for some Detail.
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