Critique of a Public Space Open Forum

As I have said in the past that I like the more visual side of information design I thought it would be interesting to look at this in the real world. I thought about airports, bus stations and other public places like this but I decided that most of us are familiar with and don’t even think about out local retail stores.

 I chose Wal-Mart for this blog post.  The store is a great example of information design at work.

Wal-Mart has been using this design concept for a long time and it is still working well.

One of the first things people will notice about this design concept is that it uses mostly the same colors through- out the store both inside and out. The blue background behind the yellow logo is usually all we need to know we are looking at a Wal-Mart store.

These colors tend to clash allowing the viewer to instantly recognize the logo. However at the same time these colors also complement one another making it pleasant to look at. Because the colors are the way they are the store continues the use of the two colors all over their store both for you and for themselves.  Keeping the color pattern uniform through- out the store make finding your way around much simpler and easy and are coupled with the use of type and symbols such as arrows.

   Anywhere you see these colors together in the store you know that there is information for you to see, by making this information easy to see and find the store can easily tell you what it wants you to know and shows you what it wants you to see. So not only does this concept work for you as the viewer of information it also works for the store as a marketing tool. This is what is thought of as integrated design. Along with a splash of color (Usually red, white or black) it is easy to lure you toward what they need to show you. These are also the same colors used to help you find your way around in the store. For example all of the isles are numbered and particular products are listed that are included in that isle.  As I said I am a visual person and I am going to let the images do the rest of the talking here. As you look at them think about your own experiences in the store.

It is easy to see how these colors are used together to complete the overall design. 

References;

Walmart. 

https://www.Walmart.com

Bing Images

httpp://www.bingimages.com

Tools for the blind and deaf

  I found it surprising that as I looked though all of the settings and information on my “Blogger” blog for this class I was unable to find any setting that aid in the accessibility of disable people. I know that other sites offer some of these things and I think they should be offered everywhere.

Surely there is code that can be written to ease the burden of navigating a blog sight if you are hearing or visually impaired. In my research I did find that “Word” and “PDF”.  Do have built in tools and aid for the bind and hearing impaired. I am not sure exactly how it all works but I am thrilled that it is available.

 The National Federation for the Blind have a lot of helpful information for creators and users of web and Pc. Based materials. They have information and links to reader apps and technologies that are available.

 A guide to setting up web services for the blind is also available on their page for download via a provided link. It is a word document and it is very informative.  I really don’t know how it would work for someone who is blind and hearing impaired to use my blog. I would say that it would be a much easier thing to do for someone who is hearing impaired than it would for a person who is blind. The use of imagery and text could be used to help a deaf person navigate a web or blog page but these would not work for a blind individual.

 I think in order to accommodate the blind the only real way to do this is with the use of audio assuming that they are able to hear.  Also they would need to be able to navigate to your page and find the play button. This might be avoidable with the use of auto play features.

Here is a youtube video that explains these features.( I was unable to embed the video in this post) I am sharing the link below,

                                                                        link to video

Images such as the ones we have developed for design process are also good ways to communicate. although the information may be different the idea is still the same. Explaining your information using a visual design in order to help a hearing impaired person to understand what is happening on your blog page. 

These features should be available on all websites and blogs across the internet. I feel like these should be built in features. 

Joe,

References;

National Federation for the Blind

https://nfb.org/

Baer, Kim.  Information Design Workbook.  Rockport Publishing 2008

Noto, J. JNgraphics. Information Design Process 2018.

Creating  Accessible documents.  The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute Access Technology Team. July 2014

 YouTube,  Chicago Lighthouse presents How to use a computer as a person who is blind or visually impaired. November 5, 2015

What does interactive bring to the table?

 Interactive

  “The graphic design community uses two terms for the visual displays of information: Info-graphics and Information design. In a nutshell, Info-graphics stand for visual displays in which graphics together with verbal language communicate information that would not be possible otherwise.

Information design on the other hand, is broadly used to describe communication design practices in which the main purpose is to inform, in contrast to persuasive approaches more commonly used in practices such as advertising.” Meirelles,(Pg. 11)

   When I think about these two different styles of design I think about things like drive thru menus (Info-graphic) as it is a visual description of a possible order and in contrast a street map (Information design) in which the information you need to find your way has been gathered, designed and put together in a way that is easy for you to read and understand.

“An interactive info-graphic can reduce otherwise heavy data sets into formats that present the information most relevant to the interests of your audience based on how they click or interact.” Snap App (2018)

  Snap App suggests that providing specific information geared toward only your target audience would be by definition as Interactive. By providing eye catching graphics simplified to meet the needs of your target audience.

An example of a interactive info-graphic taken from BBC News

Image Source: BBC News 2018

Another example would be this one I pulled from Bing Images.

 Image Source: Bing Images 2018

   In my opinion it is clear the effect of interactive has on graphics. Condensing material to reach your selected audience is the key to a good infographic. Custom graphics and interactive graphics account for a large amount of social media advertising. This is the future of advertising and it seems like a good fit for the interactive infographic.

Sourced:

Meirelles, Isabel. Design for Information. Rockport Publishing. 2013 (Ret. November, 2018)

Info graphic list (Ret. November, 2018)

https://infographiclist.com/2012/04/22/infographic-on-infographics-infographic/

Interaction Design Foundation (Ret. November, 2018)

https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/design-thinking-get-started-with-prototyping

Snap App (Ret. November, 2018)

https://www.snapapp.com/blog/how-to-make-an-interactive-infographic/

  

BBC News. Will a robot take your job? 11, September 2015.(Ret. November 2018)

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34066941

Information Design Process

  The process for any type of information design is the same. Like in writing the process is meant to break down the overall process into easily manageable steps. It consists of four major steps and is sometimes broken into as many added steps as needed. The four basic steps include. Define, Brainstorm, Design and build. Most designers will take several added steps to ensure a better outcome. These usually include Research, Testing and Improvements.

Below is a graphic I modified to show the process in action.  

The first step in this process is to Identify the 5 w's. What this means is the Who, What, When, Where and Why. Who is the intended user of the design? What kind of design is needed? When is the design needed and when will the design be used? Where will the design be used? Why is the design needed and why is it needed? After you have answered all of these questions moving to the next step is easier. 

The second step would be to gather information and research all you can about the place, people and needs of where the information design will be used, how it will be used and by whom it will be used. 

With all of this information gathered it is time to move to the next step.

The third step is Brainstorming, creating ideas. Organizing the gathered information and compiling it into a way that makes sense. Brainstorming workable ideas in order to move on to the next step. 

The next step in the process is to design a prototype. A working example of the design. Using all the information you have gathered and putting it all together in a package that solved all of the needs you found. Your prototype is not always going to be perfect and that's where the next steps comes in and is much more important than most would think. 

 The next step in any good process would be the Testing steps. By setting up your design in front of testers is the best way to find bugs, learn if your design is effective and will it work. Without the testing process a lot of work, time and money can be wasted and you reputation soiled. Bear states that "The value proposition of testing is that if you do it from the beginning, the project may cost a bit more, but it will end up saving money in the long run. The likelihood of "Getting it Right" in version 1.0 of you project will go up exponentially the more research testing you do". (Bear pg.77)  After testing is the time used for improving and fixing bugs in your design. After all these things have been worked out then the design can be completed. 

References:
Bear, K. - Information Design Workbook 2008 Brockport Publishers (Retrieved October 24, 2018)

 Information Design Theory choice

As my favorite theory of Information Design I chose “Sensorial Design.” “Sensorial Design is simply an all-encompassing category comprised of the many disciplines involved with the creation and presentation of media experiences.” Jacobson.Pg.288.

  Interaction design would be for me the theory I would least likely be interested in.  Jacobson explains that the best way to think about interactive design is to “think about experiences you can have such as stimulating conversation.” Pg.282. According to the reading there is not a lot of information related to this theory of Information Design and the best way to learn about it is through the performing arts, script writing, storytelling and instructional design

 One way to consider the meaning of Interactive Design is to envision all experiences as inhabiting a continuum of interactivity. Pg.283

  As with all things there are pros and cons. The pros of interaction design for me would be the ability to communicate my ideas with others in a clear easy to understand manor . Also it would be helpful for me to design a way for clients/ customers to be able to communicate their needs and ideas to me in the easiest way possible. As for the cons of Interactive design from my viewpoint I would say it is the fact of the process itself. Writing, storytelling and conversation are all Non- strong areas for me.

  Below is an example of how my chosen theory could be used here on my blog.

  In another of my classes we are trying to design a change in a video game that would make the game more fun and interesting to play. I chose to change the amount of pocket space in a game to allow for more storage. Allowing for more items makes the game much more user friendly and easier to play and complete certain tasks. It was also expected of us to show our other classmates a visual to help them understand what our changes were. Here is how I was able to accomplish this and also how the same technique could be used here on my blog.

By using screen shots of the game and adding the number digits and arrows I was easily able to show how my changes were made.

Source;

Jacobson, Robert Information Design MIT Press 2000. (Retrieved 3 October, 2018)

What is Information Design?

   Below are several definitions of what Information Design Is.

   Robert E. Horn writes, "Information Design is defined as the art and science of preparing information so that it can be used by human beings with efficiently and effectively."

1. "To develop documents that are comprehensible, rapidly and accurately retrievable, and easy to translate into effective action."

2. "To design interactions with equipment that are easy, natural and as pleasant as possible. this involves solving as many problems in the design of the human - computer interface."

3. "To enable people to find their way in three-dimensional space with comfort and ease -- especially urban space, but also given recent developments, virtual space." Horn

What is Information Design? Some Definitions

Hari Srinivas Concept Note Series. E-085. April 2015. In a very broad sense of the term, information design is the bridge that links information technologies and knowledge creation. It helps enhance interaction with all our senses in order to create knowledge. Information design is also refered to as graphic design, information architecture, instructional design, content presentation, presenting information etc. What have others been saying about information design? A selection: Information Design transforms data into clear, meaningful, easily-accessed information. It originally derived its techniques from graphic design, cognitive psychology, human factors research, and industrial design; and continues to draw from these and any other field that provides insight into how humans assimilate and understand information and the media through which it is conveyed. - Erik Reel Information Design is not designing information the right way; it is finding the right way to design and deliver that information. Too often a print document is well laid out without any flaws (designed the right way), when it really should have been released on CD or the web for easier updating on a regular basis (the right design). - Donna A. Ford Information Design is the practice of gathering, filtering, and presenting information in accordance with effective design principles in order to understand - and communicate to others - the essence, the meaning of that information. - Tech Head Stories Information Design is preparing communication products so that they achieve performance objectives established for them. This involves analyzing communication problems; establishing performance objectives that, when achieved, address these objectives; developing a blueprint for a communication effort to address those objectives; developing the components of the planned communication effort solution; and evaluating the ultimate effectiveness of the effort - Saul Carliner Information design is concerned with transforming data into information, making the complex easier to understand and to use. It is a rapidly growing discipline that draws on typography, graphic design, applied linguistics, applied psychology, applied ergonomics, computing, and other fields. It emerged as a response to people's need to understand and use such things as forms, legal documents, computer interfaces and technical information. (Information designers) consider the selection, structuring and presentation of the information provider's message in relation to the purposes, skills, experience, preferences and circumstances of the intended users. To do this they need specialist knowledge and skills in graphic communication and typography, the psychology of reading and learning, human-computer interaction, usability research and clear writing, plus an understanding of the potential and limitations of different media. - Design Council on Information Design Information design is the defining, planning, and shaping of the contents of a message and the environments it is presented in with the intention of achieving particular objectives in relation to the needs of users. - Intl. Institute of Information Design Information design (ID) is the technology aimed at structuring information in artifacts so as to make it available and optimally useful. - Information Design Atelier Information Design is a field and approach to designing clear, understandable communications by giving care to structure, context, and presentation of data and information. As a field, its principles relate to all communications products and experiences, regardless of medium (print, broadcast, digital, online, etc.). Information Design is, primarily, concerned with clarity (instead of simplicity) and understanding. - Nathan Shedroff Information Design is the practice of gathering, structuring, and presenting information in accordance with effective design principles. The information can be presented textually, graphically or in the form of an animation. - BMC Remedy Information design is the detailed planning of specific information that is to be provided to a particular audience to meet specific objectives. - whatis.com More definitions: Wikipedia: wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_design. techtarget.com: techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,290660,sid11_gci214367,00.html InfoDesign: www.bogieland.com/infodesign/whatis.html Do you have any addtions or suggestions to the lists above? Please email to: hsrinivas@gdrc.org This work by GDRC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. You are free to share and adapt this piece of work for your own purposes, as long as it is appropriately citied. . More info: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ CITATION TEXT: Srinivas, Hari, "What is Information Design? - Some Definitions". GDRC Reseaarch Output E-085. Kobe, Japan: Global Development Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.gdrc.org/info-design/definitions.html on Thursday, 6 September 2018

Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org Return to the Information Design Page Cited: Srinivas, Hari. "What is Information Design? - Some Definitions". GDRC Reseaarch Output E-085. Kobe, Japan: Global Development Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.gdrc.org/info-design/definitions.html on Thursday, 6 September 2018 Horn, Robert. E. "What is Information Design" Information Design Ed.Robert Jacobson MIT Press 1999. Retrieved 6 Sept. 2018