What is Information Design?
Information DesignInformation design makes complex documents easier to understand and to use. It draws upon typography, graphic design, linguistics, psychology, ergonomics and computing to understand how people interact with electronic and printed documents.
When information design is well applied, documents will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also communicate their message clearly and succinctly. Good information design should be invisible, but make a tangible difference to how documents (and so brand) are perceived.
Information design adds focus by:
- Clear language - Auditing copy to make sure that readers and users of documents get the key facts & messages instantly
- Commonsense structure - Building clear narrative structures; articulating information with the needs of readers in mind; transforming complex material into appropriate graphic form for ease of understanding
- Stepping back - Ensuring that documents fit the wider context; making life simpler for the people on both sides of any process, eg brochures which encourage enquiries, which turn into application forms, which feed into programme management...
WBS is unique in recognising the competitive advantage of in-house information design in higher education. Contact the information design team, based in the WBS Marketing & Communications Office, if you want to know more.
Alternatively, for more background on the business benefits, look up information design on the Design Council home page.