Information Design Workbook, Revised and Updated

Book excerpt: Information Design Workbook, Revised and Updated takes a methodical, yet comprehensive, approach to conveying the fundamentals of effective, innovative information design by examining history, theory, criticism, technology and media, process, method, and practice. With several new case studies and the latest approaches, you'll learn how to create visually compelling and meaningful graphics. Opening with a very brief history followed by an instructive breakdown of the discipline, get an intimate understanding of the complexities of crafting information designto effectively improve communication both functionally and aesthetically. You'll learn every aspect of the discovery process, including how to work within your client's business structure, create a project timeline, identify and prioritize possible audiences, construct a creative brief, and explore personas (user profiles) and scenarios. Then, explore best practices and get practical tips on creating planning documents and testing your design. An overview of key design principles—including color, type styling, structure, and graphic elements—shows you how to apply these basic tools to develop powerful information design solutions. A wide range of case studies from premier design firms around the world illustrate how all the complex considerations and techniques outlined in the first half of the book come into play. The author critiques and explains why each design is successful in terms of formal quality (Aesthetics) and function (How does it improve communication?). The case studies include cutting edge examples of printed matter, information graphics, interactive experiences, environmental design, as well as experimental projects. Using these principles and methods as a foundation and the real-world examples as a springboard, you can learn to execute well-crafted, functional, and aesthetically beautiful information design.