Maps

This is the oldest map of the Pacific Ocean, produced in the 14th century. I really like the colour and shapes formed from the diagonal lines. This image really inspired me to play around with producing images that related to the idea of maps and things interlinking.

This map is also a really old map, though not as old as the one above. It too has these diagonal lines, made from where points have been found and then connected. I really love the use of colour here too.

Research on maps within info graphics

The actual designs within this book did not interest me, nor did I feel they were appropriate for my project at the moment.

However these first few pages were really useful. As they talked about maps and what they are and mean. This really helped me and gave me some inspiration for my work. Using maps is a good way to show memories.

Info graphics research

artists

Keller House

Dan Mountford.

Andy D. (can't remember full surname)

More on memory loss

I researched more around the topic of memory loss and Alzheimer's as I felt this could be a good area of study.

I can't remember the source, but it was a science/health news source online.

The article was about a new study mentioned at the 240th National meeting of American Chemical Society in Boston. The study being that berries (blueberries, strawberries and acai berries) preserve memory and other mental faculties. 'Berries turn on the brains natural "housekeeper" mechanism, this results in the body cleans up and recycles toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss, dementia and mental deterioration. '

National News , October 2010 article

-Dementia this year is more than 1% of the worlds gross domestic product.

-Number of people with dementia is expected to increase by twice the amount in the next 20 years.

-By 80 years old, 30% of population currently has a form of dementia.

August 2010: '750,000 people living with Dementia in the UK and it is one of the most significant health challenges facing society.'

http://alzheimers.org.uk/

Memories

Finding just reading through pages of information on the internet really boring at the moment. So decided to try and find a good documentary on the memory.

Found this one which was really good and useful. Took loads of notes, and I feel inspired again to get on with work. Success!

Main notes taken were:

-Memory is you, it shapes your life

-Experiences make up your life

-Past/future-remembering/imagining

-Memory gives you the ability to plan

-Traumatic memory doesn't fade

-Memories are important for an idea of continuity in time

-Age 20- brain starts to shrink, loses 2% in weight and volume each 10 years

-Age 27- memory begins to fade

-Above 40, brain cells dying off at a rate of almost 10,000 per day

-"A tree with dutch elm disease. dying from the inside out."- quote explaining Alzheimer's disease.

Blind spot test

In my tutorial I was told to look at optical illusions. This test proves that there is a blindspot in each eye. It is located at the back of the eye, on the retina where the optic nerve joins in. (optic nerve= extension of the brain).

cover left eye. look at the circle. the cross will disappear if you get closer. Thats where the blindspot is. When both eyes are open you wouldn't notice it, as your brain constantly makes assumptions for this area.

I looked at more optical illusions, but I didn't like them or think they would help with my work any further!