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What is Information Design?


(Retrieved September 13, 2018, from https://quotesgram.com/information-architecture-quotes/ )

Information design is all about organizing and presenting information in a clear, creative, and understandable way. Jacobson (2000), defines it as the arrangement and use of different communication carriers and channels in order to increase understanding and meaning (p. 4). The product of information design is all around us in our daily lives. It is made to blend in and flow. A few examples of information design are street signs, websites, advertisements, and notices. Information such as this can be presented through different types of medias and designs, and so it is important to make the best choices depending on the audiences. For example, check out the graphic below. The same information is presented on both the left and the right side. However, the information displayed on the right is a lot more pleasing to look at, as well as easier to understand. 


Baer (2008) explains that good information design is like an uneventful airline flight, meaning you are comfortable and at ease, and not stopping to think about turbulence or air travel mechanics (p. 22) Information design is much more than just the info being advertised. It is also is the process behind choosing which information to show, how to display it, and when and where. 

All of these elements shown above contribute to the goal of clear communication, which Baer (2008) describes as the very essence of information design (p. 12). 


References:

Baer, K. (2008). Information Design Workbook. Massachusetts: Rockport.
Jacobson, R. (2000). Information Design. Massachusetts: MIT Press.




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