An Introduction to Information Design

Table of contents

1. Cover
2. Title Page
3. Copyright
4. Contents
5. Introduction
6. 1. What is information design?
   1. Definitions of information design
   2. A brief history of information design
   3. Why is information design necessary?
   4. What are the different types of information design?
7. 2. Information design for specific audiences
   1. Identifying the audience and their needs
   2. Defining the audience
   3. Activity: How to identify your audience
   4. Internationalism
   5. Inclusivity
   6. Visual impairment
   7. Hints and Tips: Designing for visual impairment
   8. Case study: Designing for a target audience – children
8. 3. Structuring information
   1. Grids
   2. Hierarchy of information
   3. Dynamic composition and gesture
   4. Sequence of information
   5. Hints and Tips: Organizing information
   6. Hints and Tips: Using a grid
   7. Hints and Tips: Setting up the grid
   8. Case study: Grid structure and hierarchy
9. 4. Legibility and readability
   1. Understanding legibility and readability
   2. Readability: colour, tint and tone
   3. Legibility, readability and contrast
   4. Weight, size and scale
   5. Typographic elements
   6. Glossary of typographical terms
   7. Graphic elements
   8. Imagery
   9. Hints and Tips: Visibility and contrast
   10. Hints and Tips: Colour-coding
   11. Hints and Tips: Choice of typeface, weight and scale
   12. Case study: Illustration in information design
   13. Case study: Graphics in information design
10. 5. Realizing the design through appropriate media
    1. Explanation of media
    2. Choosing appropriate media
    3. The difference between print and digital
    4. Designing for different digital platforms
    5. Computer data visualization
    6. Exhibition design and design for the environment
    7. Hints and Tips: Knowing the possibilities of media
    8. Case study: Maintaining a brand’s visual identity across different media
11. 6. Experimentation and inspiration for the design process
    1. Why is experimentation and inspiration important?
    2. Lateral thinking
    3. Inspiration for design
    4. Editing data for inspiration
    5. The importance of trying out ideas
    6. Hints and Tips: Taking inspiration from the world around you
    7. Case study: Inspiration for the design process
    8. Case study: Visual mapping
12. 7. Information design in practice: print, interactive and environmental
    1. Design outcomes
    2. Routes for print-based information design
    3. Case studies: Print-based information design
    4. Routes for interactive information design
    5. Case study: Interactive information design
    6. Routes for environmental information design
    7. Case studies: Environmental information design
13. 8. Information design in practice: multi-platform delivery
    1. Using multiple platforms
    2. Case study: Interactive exhibition design
    3. Case study: Environmental and interactive wayfinding
14. Conclusion
15. Glossary
16. Further reading / Websites
17. Index
18. Acknowledgements
19. Picture credits