Information design
Prepares information so that people can find it, understand it and use it effectively, in charts, tables, maps, signage or documents.
What it deals with
The same information can help or confuse depending on how it is ordered and shown. A misleading chart or a confusing form has real consequences.
Principles
For whoever uses it
What they need to know and what decision they have to make.
Order before style
Structure decides whether it is understood; style supports it.
Every mark informs
Whatever doesn't add data is superfluous.
Applications in design
Use it like this
Before designing, ask what decision the reader has to make.
Avoid
Decorating the data: ornaments compete with what matters.
Don’t fall for it
Test with real readers: what is obvious to someone who knows the data is not obvious to someone seeing it for the first time.
Especialidades
Data visualization
Turns data into charts that can be read accurately, choosing well how to encode each value.
Data storytelling
Tells a story with data, deciding how much the author guides and how much the reader explores.
Connections
Builds on
Authors and works
- 1999
Robert E. Horn
Defined it as the art and science of preparing information so that people can use it efficiently and effectively.
- 1983
Edward R. Tufte
Proposed devoting a chart's ink to the data and removing decoration.
Sources
Original sources
- Horn, R. E. (1999). Information design: Emergence of a new profession. In R. Jacobson (Ed.), Information design (pp. 15–34). MIT Press.
- Tufte, E. R. (1983). The visual display of quantitative information. Graphics Press.
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