In the digital era we live in, there are certain terminologies that we find difficult to understand or have never heard of them. One of these terminologies is information design. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re in the right place. This blog mentions every minor and major detail you need to know regarding information design. You’ll find out what it is, why it’s important, along with some examples for further explanation! Keep reading on as information design is something you need to know because it matters now more than ever!
What is Information Design?
Often people wonder what an information design is. It sounds like a very nerdy and technical term, but it isn’t. Basically, information design refers to the practice of presenting any information in a suitable way that makes it not only accessible but also understandable for the user. An information design is targeted at a specific or target audience in certain situations in order to meet defined objectives. The main purpose of an information design is to enable users to understand the most complex data. An information design organizes and simplifies the data and information in ways that make it easy for the user to understand and grasp.
Purpose of Information Design
Here we’ll be digging deeper into the purpose of an information design. Well, firstly, an information design applies to a broad range of applicability. Some people believe an information design is only used with graphic designs, but that isn’t true. Whether it be a street sign, website, restaurant menu, or a questionnaire, information design applies everywhere. Anywhere there is data or information, an information design should be used. Why use an information design? Well, the reasons are quite simple.
How many times have you read a text and not understood it? It’s quite possible you’ve faced this problem a number of times. This is because either the font isn’t clear or the information is too complicated. This is where information design comes in handy. Because it helps make information and data easy to read and understand. It doesn’t matter if it’s a figure, fact, or direction, an information design will help people navigate and understand it with ease.
Why is Information Design Important?
Due to the advancement in technology, we’re always surrounded by data. Therefore, information design makes it simple and easy for us to absorb and understand the data we see. For example, as businesses move towards websites, an information design helps the website become responsive in terms of providing direct, correct, and understandable information to the visitor.
The information design provides the user with a direction and solution in a way that makes it very easy for the user to comprehend the information provided by the website. A visitor wants to find useful information on the site; thus, the information design process makes it possible for the visitor to find value in the information mentioned.
Information Design Process
Okay, so we get the purpose of the information design. However, what’s the information design process? Well, below we’ve listed the information design process to give you an idea as to how it looks like and how it works.
- Planning the information
- Planning the project
- Select Content
- Drafting & Testing
- Produce the final copy
- Continue the process & Gather feedback for further updating
As you can see, the information design steps we’ve mentioned above, aim to understand the user’s needs. The main objective of the design process is to be user-centered. Therefore, it’s more about the user first rather than the appearance. Also, the information design process requires a wide range of skills as well.
Final Thoughts
In the digital era we live in, we are bombarded with an endless flow of information and data. Therefore, it’s the duty of an information designer to ensure that a user can easily filter and quickly understand all the information that comes their way. Regardless of it being a text, bill, or social media feed, information design is something every person needs in order to understand everything clearly.
