Information Design

Information design is defined by Online Learning as;

"The representation of complex information in a visual form."

(http://www.online-learning.com/course_id_2.html)

It is the designing of information that is difficult to understand and interpret, made simple and uncomplicated. Spiekermann state in an online article about information design; "The design of information may first involve translating a message from one language to another, or from official or technical jargon into plain English, or from complicated diagrams into straightforward listings." (AIGA.)Which means that information designers need to use a variety of skills developed from; graphic design, industrial design and architecture, in order to interpret complex information into a visual method.

At present there is a need for more information designers due to the increase of companies releasing information on multiple technologies, resulting in a call for information designers to organise data so it is more understandable.

Examples of information design can be see in; road signs, instruction booklet, maps, forms and bills.

Road Sign: STOP SIGNS; This signs uses clear information design in many ways. It alerts the driver to be aware of the caution ahead through the use of the colour red in the background. The large, bold writing of STOP draws attention to the sign making it clear of the importance and seriousness to stop ahead. Also the use of an unusual shape attracts the eye of the driver in all weather conditions.

(Photo: Taken by Orlanda Ditcher)

Instruction Booklet: IPOD INSTRUCTIONS; This instruction booklet is clear information design as it evidently indicates the device that it shows instructions for on the front cover and the instructions inside are labeled under individual titles and subheadings, which are placed visibly in the index.

(Image: http://www.gearlive.com/gallery/image_med/626/-instructionbooklet)

Maps: TRAIN MAPS; This train map reveals clear information design as it un-complicates what usually would be difficult a diagram to understand. By using the colour coded key (located on the side of the page) it allows for the viewer to specify the correct train line that they need in order to get to their desired location. The colour are visually different, with no similar tones, allowing for the easy reading of the data.

(Image: http://peter-hoang.blogspot.com/ )

Work Cited;

Gear Live. Online. http://www.gearlive.com/gallery/image_med/626/-instructionbooklet. Accessed 13th March 2009

Online Learning. Online. http://www.online-learning.com/course_id_2.html Accessed 6th March 2009

Peter Hoang Blog. Online. http://peter-hoang.blogspot.com/ Accessed 13th March 2009

Serach CRM.com. Online. "Information Design." http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci214367,00.html. Accessd 6th Mach 2009

Spiekermann, Erik. AIGA. Online. http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/information-design_1. Accessed 6th Mrach 2009