Information Design

About the Information Design silo

Information Design is the practice of presenting data, processes and places so that people understand them quickly and correctly. The silo covers data visualisation, wayfinding, diagrams, information architecture, iconography, editorial infographics and public information systems.

Clarity and accuracy are the success criteria, which distinguishes this silo from decorative graphic design. The courses stress audience and task analysis, honest representation of data, and testing with real users, especially for public systems where people may be stressed or unfamiliar with the setting.

Suggested learning path

1. Foundations of Information Design. Information design is the discipline of organising and presenting data, processes, and systems so they can be understood quickly and accurately. Covers what information design is (and isn't), audience & task analysis, the major sub-fields and more.
2. Data Visualization Principles. Data visualization translates quantitative information into visual form. Covers choosing the right chart, the perceptual hierarchy of encodings, axes, scales & honest baselines and more.
3. Wayfinding & Signage Systems. Wayfinding design guides people through unfamiliar physical spaces using consistent visual systems. Covers how people build mental maps, decision points, signage hierarchy and more.
4. Diagrammatic & Schematic Design. Diagrams and schematics represent processes, relationships, and systems that have no natural visual form, flowcharts, network diagrams, transit maps. Covers what a diagram is for, flowchart & process diagram conventions, the schematic trade-off: accuracy vs. clarity and more.
5. Information Architecture for Print & Digital. Information architecture organises content into findable, navigable structures, a discipline shared by editorial print design and digital product design alike. Covers structure before style, content hierarchy, labelling systems and more.
6. Iconography & Pictogram Systems. Icon and pictogram systems communicate across language barriers through consistent, simplified visual marks. Covers legibility at small sizes, consistency across an icon set, the myth of the universal symbol and more.
7. Infographics for Editorial & Reportage. Editorial infographics combine narrative and data to explain a news story or complex event visually. Covers narrative structure in infographics, sourcing & fact-checking standards, narrative engagement vs. precision under deadline and more.
8. Information Design for Public Systems. Public systems, transit networks, health information, civic services, must be usable by everyone, including people under stress, with low literacy, or unfamiliar with the system. Covers why public systems demand a higher bar, designing for users under stress, designing for low literacy & unfamiliarity and more.

What you will be able to do

• Choose a chart that matches the comparison being made
• Plan signage at real decision points
• Draw a diagram at the right level of abstraction
• Design public information for diverse audiences

How to study this

Read Foundations of Information Design first, then Data Visualization Principles. Use the capstone-style public systems course to combine what you have learned.

Who it is for

Communication design students, data journalists, urban and transport designers, and anyone who explains complex material to the public.

Frequently asked questions

How is it different from graphic design?

Graphic design covers visual communication broadly. Information design focuses on comprehension and accuracy of complex information.

Do I need statistics knowledge?

Basic familiarity helps, but the visualisation course explains the concepts you need.

Are the courses available now?

Course outlines are published and each course is marked in development until its full content is released.