Five design principles for communicating data and information are outlined by Edward Tufte in his book Envisioning Information. These five concepts are: Layering and Separation; Micro/Macro Readings; Colour; Storytelling over Space and Time; and Small Multiples.
I'm going to use these theories in my own work to improve the content in my animation and tell a more interesting story.
I'll start with small multiples and work my way up to larger spheres to help the spectator distinguish between each planet because they all have similar features. This will allow uninterrupted and quick separation between the planets for the viewer. Also, I intend to choose deliberate colours to establish identification, for instance, I plan to tint Mars red and earth blue and green, this will clearly show which planet is which, connecting to Tufte's colour theory.
This image by NASA depicts the solar system and how the planets differ from eachother in size and colour, this reinforces Tuftes' principle of layering also, as the image gives the impression, through the orbital rings, that the solar system has different layers that make it whole.
His third idea involves micro-macrocosms, which are small characteristics contained within a much bigger feature. An example of this would be mosaic-style photos, which appear to be one vast image from a distance, but upon closer inspection reveal individual images that create the main image.
