What is a chart? There are a few things we could say...

Though a chart could visually represent any type of information, charts have often been used as navigation aids, usually of the sea or the air. We can also 'chart' something - a chart can invite us to take part in its creation. A chart also usually employs an official visual language, letting us know that the information presented is accurate.

The charts shown below combine and subvert these aspects of the formal chart to become charts we can use as part of our navigation through daily life. To interact with the paper both physically and psychologically aids memory and the use of metaphor (as found in some of the charts) can help understanding.

THE DAY DREAM CHART

I spend a lot of my time thinking about other places and situations. Imagine if we could map those thoughts - what we think about and how often they occupy our mind - as lines on clouds that drift in the wind.

THE FALL OR FLOAT CHART

This is a simple one. Mark each dash (or cut) when you either help or hinder yourself. Maybe most of us stay in a state of tense equilibrium, while others purposefully cut one of these lines.

THE PACIFIC CHART

This is a chart for logging quiet times. The word 'pacific' (with a small p) means calm or serene and so this is a chart for logging quality 'off' time.

Text reads: Mark those quiet hours when nothing really happens - you just rest, eyes closed, rocking gently back and forth, back and forth, with nothing on your mind but the sound of the sea.

THE EPHEMERIDAE CHART

The May Fly spends up to 2.5 years crawling at the 'nymph' stage and spends just a day as a fly (when it breeds and dies).
This is a chart for those of you who have long-term but short-lived goals. It's all in the process and the preparation, and the result, while glorious, is short-lived. This chart runs across 3 frames and so you'd need a bit of wall space for it - it would last 2.5 years though.

Text reads: Fill in a dot each time you make a careful and considered step towards a long-term but short-lived goal

THE RUNNING CHART

Use for 3 months to keep you running.
Text Reads: After your run, draw a circle around that day with a thick black pen. Continue the line up to the dotted circle of the next day you plan to run. There! A triumphant ring celebrates your success and a new line commits you to the next one.

'WHERE AM I?' CHART / 12.02.08

Text Reads:
Fill in a shape each time you're not in the present.

THE BREAST-SELF-EXAMINATION CHART


Available to download here for free* - 300dpi 15cmx10cm (PDF, 2MB)

*though you might want to donate some money to a cancer charity in return

THE LUNCH HOUR CHART

It's official - we don't have lunch hours like we used to...
Text reads: Mark the bricks with a black pen on the days you venture outside during your lunchhour. You never know...you could meet someone interesting or have an adventure.

Available to download here for free - 300dpi 10cmx23cm (2.8MB) NB you may need to resample to 300dpi before printing!

THE BIG DECISION (WITH NO REGRETS) CHART

This chart has room to record only ONE big decision, so make it a good one.
'Hammer' in the 'nail' by filling in the dotted shape (having listed pros and cons either side first). Then, and only then, can you cut out the claw. Decision made. No regrets!

THE '365 DIFFERENT DAYS' CHART / 13.06.08

Text Reads: A chart to mark each day as unique. Put a ring around each day when you do something new.

THE 'COURAGEOUS CROSSING' CHART / 12.05.08

Text Reads: A Courageous Crossing (for the Non-Pedestrian). Press the button for courage and fill a triangle in green whenever you move forwards...

[Requires a green pen to be really satisfactory]

THE TURN IT OFF CHART

Text Reads:
Turn your life on by switching the tv off. Each day you don't watch tv fill in the dotted gap around a button. Also, consider starting your own 'life listings' in which you write down activities that start at 30 or 60 minute intervals.

THE UNREQUITED LOVE CHART

Text Reads:
I'm trying so hard not to think of you that I can't think of anything else.