informationdesign

Information design is the practice of presenting information in ways that facilitate understanding and efficient decision making. It combines elements of graphic design, information architecture, data visualization, user experience, and communication to structure data and content for specific audiences and tasks.

The field covers organizing data, selecting visual encodings, typography, color, layout, and navigation to support comprehension. It emphasizes clarity, accuracy, accessibility, and appropriate pacing of information, aiming to reduce cognitive load and highlight essential relationships.

Methods include user research, audience and task analysis, and iterative design. Designers use wireframes, layouts, dashboards, charts, maps, icons, and typography to encode information, followed by testing with real users to assess comprehension and task performance.

Applications include infographics in journalism, technical manuals, dashboards for business intelligence, government reports, websites and apps, signage, packaging, and educational materials.

History and notable figures: Elements of effective information presentation precede the term, but information design gained prominence in the late 20th century. Edward R. Tufte is associated with emphasizing clarity and honesty in graphic presentation, while Richard Saul Wurman coined "information architecture" and helped popularize information design as a discipline.

Relation to standards and ethics: It intersects with information architecture, data visualization, and UX design. Practitioners follow accessibility and readability guidelines to ensure inclusivity, such as clear typography and color contrast, and strive to avoid bias or misrepresentation.