What is Information Design?

Information Design involves the conversion of data into information that is understandable and relevant to users. The goal of Information Design is to create something—an image, a line of text, a map—that helps users understand pertinent information and make decisions based on what they understand.

These decisions could be things like which train to take or whether to make a purchase, and good Information Design makes these decisions simple, reducing as much of the user’s cognitive workload as possible.

Information Design can be as small as the typography choice on packaging or as large as a city’s transportation system. It includes graphic design, architecture, technical communication, and advertising, all under the umbrella of cognitive psychology. The way users think, access, and retain information is never out of the thoughts of a good designer.

What does good Information Design look like?

Good Information Design is a marriage of form (the shape an object takes) and function (the purpose and use of an object). Designs that stand the test of time combine an aesthetically pleasing and accessible form with a high degree of usability.

Good Information Design can be beautiful, but it must first be clear, concise, and useful.

—Catherine Krecke