Why read this book? Information is everywhere. We are surrounded by it and it is delivered to us in many different ways. From the moment we get up in the morning, we engage with information that has been designed for specific purposes: the nutritional information on the packets of the cereals we eat; the daily news via a newspaper or a screen; a timetable to see when the next bus is due. We are constantly engaging with the communication of information. If you are reading this book then the chances are that you are interested in design and are curious to know more about information design. This subject is large and complex and takes in many forms and platforms. The aim of this book is to demystify the process of producing clear information design and to provide some fundamental guidelines to the considerations and processes you may need when communicating to specific users or audiences. This knowledge will better equip you to produce effective solutions to the design challenges you may encounter within your own study and practice. To demonstrate the breadth and diversity of the subject, we feature the work of an international selection of designers. The purpose is to give a behind-thescenes look at the journey to a final outcome. These case studies are not just about who information design is for and who created it; their purpose is to show the creative processes behind a successful information design project. These case studies allow us to see the fundamentals of information design being put into action on real projects by practising designers. Our aim in writing this book was to provide an inspirational guide to the discipline of visualizing information, a discipline that falls within the larger subject of graphic design. Our intention is to explain the subject practically: this is not just an introduction to the theories of information design, but a how-to book that includes hints and tips on the actual design process.

6 Introduction

8 1 What is information design?

10 Definitions of information design

11 A brief history of information design

19 Why is information design necessary?

21 What are the different types of information design"

26 2 Information design for specific audiences

28 Identifying the audience and their needs different media

29 Defining the audience

36 Activity: How to identify your audience

41 Internationalism

43 Inclusivity

43 Visual impairment

46 Hints and Tips: Designing for visual Impairment

48 Case study: Designing for a target audience - children

54 3 Structuring information

56 Grids

58 Hierarchy of information

60 Dynamic composition and gesture

64 Sequence of information and environmental

66 Hints and Tips: Organizing information

68 Hints and Tips. Using a grid

70 Hints and Tips: Setting up the grid

72 Case study: Grid structure and hierarchy

76 4 Legibility and readability

78 Understanding legibility and readability

80 Readability- colour, tint and tone

84 Legibility, readability and contrast

86 Weight, size and scale

88 Typographic elements

90 Glossary of typographical terms

92 Graphic elements

94 Imagery

98 Hints and Tips. Visibility and contrast

98 Hints and Tips: Colour-coding

100 Hints and Tips: Choice of typeface, weight and scale

102 Case study: Illustration in information design

104 Case study: Graphics in information design

106 5 Realizing the design through appropriate media

109 Explanation of media

110 Choosing appropriate media

112 The difference between print and digital

113 Designing for different digital platforms

118 Computer data visualization

122 Exhibition design and design for the environment

125 Hints and Tips: Knowing the possibilities of media

128 Case study- Maintaining a brand's visual identity across

134 6 Experimentation and inspiration for the design process

136 Why is experimentation and inspiration important'

138 Lateral thinking

140 Inspiration for design

146 Editing data for inspiration

149 The importance of trying out ideas

152 Hints and Tips: Taking inspiration from the world around you

156 Case study: Inspiration for the design process

160 Case study: Visual mapping

164 7 Information design in practice: print, interactive

166 Design outcomes

166 Routes for print-based information design

168 Case studies: Print-based information design

174 Routes for interactive information design

176 Case study: Interactive information design

179 Routes for environmental information design

181 Case studies: Environmental information design

188 8 Information design in practice: multi-platform delivery

190 Using multiple platforms

191 Case study: Interactive exhibition design

196 Case study: Environmental and interactive wayfinding

202 Conclusion

203 Glossary

205 Further reading / Websites

206 Index

207 Acknowledgements

208 Picture credits

中科院文献情报中心