Hello,
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and
colleagues in 30 labs worldwide have released a new set of standards for
graphically representing biological information. This complements the
standardized visual languages used to communicate complex information in
many scientific and engineering fields. Till now, biology has lacked a
standardized notation for describing biological interactions, pathways, and
networks, even though the discipline is dominated by graphical information.
This is a significant input from the field of graphic design.
This new scientific graphic design language will act as an enabler for the
emergence of new industries devoted to the creation of software tools for
working with it, as well as its teaching and publication.
More information, see http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13281
Biology can be seen as another of the disciplines that started life as an
Art, became a science in the general sense, and is now in transition to
becoming more like Physics as it increases the amount of quantitative
modeling that provides predictive power. It retains however, its fundamental
foundations in 'putting things into boxes' ( taxonomies) which like many
design disciplines has been an effective scientific tool to advance the
field. This new graphic design language in biology builds on and extends
this approach.
Perhaps a similar language would be of use in graphic design itself?
Best wishes,
Terry
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Dr. Terence Love, FDRS, AMIMechE, PMACM
Director Design-focused Research Group, Design Out Crime Research Group
Researcher, Digital Ecosystems and Business Intelligence Institute
Associate, Planning and Transport Research Centre
Curtin University, PO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845
Mob: 0434 975 848, Fax +61(0)8 9305 7629, [log in to unmask]
Visiting Professor, Member of Scientific Council
UNIDCOM/ IADE, Lisbon, Portugal
Honorary Fellow, Institute of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
Management School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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