Common Weapon Rail Systems

Overview

This infographic was created for the EME 5602 Technology and Design course at Florida State University. It introduces three commonly used weapon rail systems: Picatinny Rail, KeyMod, and M-LOK. This topic lends itself to a variety of visual representations including infographics in that weapon rails differ in shape and structure. Being able to visualize their differences in appearance is pivotal in understanding their distinctions in function. Texts, colors, and graphics can be carefully planned and organized through the means of an infographic to create visual interest and provide the audience with a better idea of how these rails are utilized in a weapon system.

Tools Used: Canva

Target Audience

This infographic is meant for those who are interested in learning the history and functions of the three weapon rail systems. Those who wish to seek help in comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each rail system in question can also benefit from this infographic. The target audience is expected to have limited or basic knowledge about weapon rails or weapon systems in general.

The target audience can leverage this infographic to gain knowledge about weapon rail systems in an informal learning environment. The format and design elements of the infographic also allow it to be used as a training aid that is both easily shared and memorable. The infographic can also serve as a reference for those who are interested in weapon design or assembly and wish to make a purchasing or procurement decision.

Development Process

I started off this project brainstorming ideas. After coming up with a list of topics, I narrowed down the list and decided on the final topic by gauging how much each topic would benefit from an infographic-style presentation. In order to produce a well-informed infographic, I did more research about the topic through blog posts and product release notes from weapons development companies and arsenals such as Magpul and VLTOR. I also began collecting graphical assets such as logos and pictures for use in the design phase. Upon gathering sufficient information and visual elements, I created a style guide to further develop my vision for the project. The style guide consists of a group of colors and a list of four fonts that I planned on using throughout the project to ensure the consistency and unity of style.

Below is the style guide that I created using Canva:

I then created a few sketches which included a number of shapes and placeholders in order to experiment with ideas regarding the graphic layout of my infographic. After I determined the visual structure, I began replacing the temporary elements and image frames with content using Canva, turning the prototype from low-fidelity to high-fidelity. After a high-fidelity prototype was created, I consulted a subject-matter expert for feedback regarding content accuracy and visual appeal. Minor adjustments were later made based on the feedback. The subject-matter expert also provided rating scores for each rail system’s portability, versatility, ease of use, and affordability.

Design Principles

This infographic was guided by the CRAP Principles of Graphic Design. CRAP stands for Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. I repeated aspects such as typeface, font color, font size, timeline stamps, bullet points, circular image frames, and star rating scale to create a sense of unity and ensure a professional and cohesive look and feel. A flush left alignment was adopted for most of the text units within the infographic to organize and unify the page as well as to improve readability. Relevant content such as the years of origin and the original developers of each rail system is placed in close proximity to each other to specify relationships and communicate information more clearly and more efficiently. The contrast between the beige background and the white background is leveraged to divide the main content into three sections, and thus creating a logical flow from one section to another. The dark grey brush strokes and the white title captions also contrast with one another to create visual interest. Lastly, different font sizes are used to present a hierarchy by attaching more visual weight to the more important information. For example, the size of the main content is set to be larger than the size of the references at the bottom.

Competencies Achieved

Communication Skills:

Produce visuals that adhere to the principles of message design
Deliver effective and engaging presentations
Practice active listening

Analysis Skills:

Determine subordinate and prerequisite knowledge and skills
Analyze content from a variety of human and non-human sources

Design Skills:

Work with subject-matter experts and other team members to design interventions
Identify the scope and sequence for instructional solutions
Use visual design principles appropriately
Provide a rationale for design decisions

Technology and Media Skills:

Select and use appropriate technology and media for specific outcomes
Analyze the characteristics of existing and emerging technology
Use technology tools in the design process
Provide a rationale for technology and media decisions

Evaluation and Research Skills:

Conduct a formative evaluation of an instructional intervention
Collect, analyze, and summarize data

Management Skills:

Establish project scope and goals

Personal and Interpersonal Skills:

Give and receive constructive feedback