What is Information Design?

 Why did the chicken cross the road?

Image by thewebprincess [4]

Obviously we can't know for sure why our aspiring poultry pioneer began such a harrying journey across the terrifying asphalt expanse, but it would not be out of the realm of possibility to say that they may have seen something on the other side they were interested in or something behind they were trying to get away from. Something likely interacted with them visually to drive our heroic adventurer to action.

Hello everyone, my name is David and welcome to My Information Design Journey. The main reason I am starting this blog because of an assignment. This is my last semester in college pursuing a bachelors in manufacturing management, and I had some electives to fill. I spent some time looking at courses and found a course on information design. The description sounded like a good fit for what I was trying to do, data-driven manufacturing insights and communication. One of the assignments is to create a blog, so here we are. 

It would, however, be wrong to say that is the only reason. I have thought about blogging for some time. I enjoy writing and have spent more time on D&D backstories and world building than most, but have just never made the jump. This assignment is a convenient excuse for me to try out the medium, learn about the tools, and to learn about information design while I am at it. Win-Win!

The assignment for this post is to answer the question: What is Information Design? I don't think my teacher would be thrilled if I just wrote "It's how we design information," and left it at that. Even if my grade didn't suffer it would be incredibly reductionist to define the field in that way. One definition in the Information Design Workbook reads:

...the translating of complex, unorganized, or unstructured data into valuable, meaningful information.[1]

Just look at how much you can take away from this one definition. Translation of data to information. Organizing and structuring. Creating value and meaning. Each section is a discipline in itself, and this is just one of many "definitions" I have found in the first two weeks of the course.

Moving a step further, it is important to understand the sheer number of areas involved in the field of information design. Just to name a few:

• Graphic design
• User-interface design
• Website design 
• Data analytics and visualizations 
• Infographics 
• Marketing 
• Color theory
• Art
• Science

Given the vast landscape involved it is a good idea to have some direction to guide our thoughts on the subject. Design for Information gives us a perspective foundation with which to implement these ideas:

Information design...is broadly used to describe communication design practices in which the main purpose is to inform...[2]

 The idea of using these tools to inform is an important one, bringing ethical questions along with it. 

Image by Tzu-Hui[3]

So, where does information design fit into our poultry pilgrimage? With the idea that we as information designers are working to inform our target audience our graphics may have shown which road to cross. Provided signs and messages so that our capon companion can safely make to their destination unplucked. Perhaps we created an easily followed map which guides our fowl frontiersman efficiently through the borderlands.

Jokes aside, information design is about communication. Taking something that people might have an issue understanding and helping them wrap their head around it. In manufacturing it can take the form of useful graphics illustrating key performance indicators. A restaurant might showcase their menu in a way that highlights specials and pairings. An academic might, and I confess I wish more of them would, design their work to be readable and enjoyable. It is a field where the proper application of skill and creativity can provide information centered around the people who need it in ways that help them stay informed and engaged. 

[1] Baer, K. (2021). Information design workbook graphic approaches, solutions, and Inspiration + 30 case studies. Rockport.

[2] Meirelles, I. (2013). Design for information: An introduction to the histories, theories, and best practices behind effective information visualizations. Rockport Publishers.

[3] Tzu-Hui, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

[4] "Why did the Chicken Cross the Road?" by thewebprincess is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license visit https://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.