Information design is a creative process by which a product or a set of information products is produced. An information design is a blueprint or specifications for the production of an object or system, or for the execution of an action or procedure, or the end result of this blueprint or specifications in the form of a physical product, application or process. The word ‘information’ in information design suggests the fact that the production of information products may take various forms. Information design includes planning, organizing, defining, representing, analyzing, and expressing the knowledge of the user in a manner acceptable to the users. The verb in information design indicates the process of producing a information design.
Info design can refer to the physical product (or its components) as in the case of a computer program, electronic system or printed medium, and also to the procedures involved in producing the same. It can also refer to a set of procedures, knowledge patterns or assumptions about how things work, and how they will function based on factual knowledge about what is available and future desires of users. The word ‘info’ in info design denotes that the end product is produced in accordance with the users’ needs, expectations and goals. In technical terms, it is a process by which processes are determined, evaluated, controlled, implemented and maintained, according to a predetermined logical flow.
Info design could be described as a style of visual communication used to communicate a message, an idea or a set of facts to the entire human population. The process could be non-verbal or semiotic. Non-verbal informatics (written forms of info design) include logos, visual aids, charts, diagrams, pictures, sounds or messages. Semiotic informatics (spoken forms of info design) include manuals, labels, signs, messages, announcements, question and answer sessions, presentations, point of purchase displays, point of use software, registration buttons, registration forms, reservation systems, reservation software, manuals, user manuals or any other form of written information. Info design can be visual, textual or non-verbal. Basically, it’s a combination of various means of communication and the most significant part of the process – the designers.
An example of a non-verbal piece of info design can be the logos, pictures or other graphics found on brochures, business cards, letterheads, flyers, posters, billboards and the like. The most popular means of communication are the written words. So, info design can also mean communicating via print media. For instance, any piece of literature that tells, advises, advices, educates, informs, persuades, sells or otherwise gives information about some specific subject is an example of print media. Print media can also be multimedia, which means the combination of electronic and non-electronic means of conveying information.
Info design in the non-verbal sense can refer to any form of representation other than text. An example of this is audiovisual presentations such as the ones that are often found in trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, workshops and similar events. There are so many ways to represent information on these items but basically, they all have one thing in common – there is a speaker who speaks and then a viewer who hears and understands what is being said. Such presentations make it possible for businessmen to interact with each other, consumers to get more information about products, employees to understand work procedures and employees to learn about what their bosses are thinking.
Informatics is the foundation of modern technology. With the use of informatics in the business and non-business sectors alike, it is now possible for anyone to successfully compete with big companies that have years of experience in creating and launching new products, services and technologies. Now that you know what info design and teoria is all about, get yourself educated and start applying them to your business.