Information design has so many
different definitions. In it’s simplest form, it is a type of design that
people create to help other people. That’s pretty much as simple as I can put
it. Of course, the subject itself is much more complex. There are so many
subcategories of Information Design, some overlapping, and some having nothing
to do with each other.
In the beginning chapters of the book
Information Design by Robert Jacobson, I learned about the concept of
information design, what different purposes it can serve, and why it is so
important. I am also beginning to learn and see how information design is
either successful or a failure, depending on its context. In the introduction,
Jacobson states:
“Because the success of information design
is so context-dependent, there is almost no way to predict scientifically for
any particular setting what will work and what will not. Each design rises or
falls according to factors that are difficult to replicate: the setting in
which the transfer of knowledge occurs, the individuals involved, the medium or
media employed, and the original and ultimate purposes of producers and
consumers" (Jacobson, 5).
So far, I know what information design
is, where it is used, and why it is so important. I also know the many
different careers and groupings that are offered under this subject. In the
Information Design Workbook, Kim Baer goes more in depth about the career
aspect of information design by breaking down the different types of
information design that designers are interested in. One of the categories was
graphic design. Because I am an Art major with a concentration in Media Arts, I
am particularly interested in this category. I knew for a long time I wanted to
work in graphic design however I didn’t realize how many possibilities there truly
are in this field.
Ergonomics is something I learned about
and became interested in when I was actually really young, but as I grew up I became
more interested in solely creating graphics for art’s sake, not really for any
purpose. In taking this class, my interest in ergonomics has been sparked once
again. To be able to put art and information together in a way to help people
is something that appeals to me a lot now. I’m excited to continue reading and
going more and more in depth on this very complex subject.
