The Practical Guide to Information Design

The definitive, behind-the-scenes guide to mastering information design

Finally, in one usable format, here's your single-volume resource for designing clear projects that really work for your audience. The Practical Guide to Information Design provides all the tools, resources, and best practices that designers need to create highly successful print and digital information design projects.

A brilliant combination of practice and theory, this highly visual book covers the principles of design, perception, and usability, complete with step-by-step examples that feature the work of today's leading professionals. Comprehensively illustrated with hundreds of valuable graphs, maps, tables, line drawings, and photos, The Practical Guide to Information Design features:
* Complete descriptions and comparisons of various formats
* A range of helpful exercises to reinforce covered material
* Handy summary boxes, bulleted lists, captions, and examples
* A wealth of useful resources for professionals and students

 

Acknowledgements.

Introduction: Following the Golden Rule of Information Design.

Premise and mission.

Definitions:.

What information design is.

How it helps people in their everyday lives.

How to use the book.

SECTION I. FINDING THE AUDIENCE.

Chapter 1. How Humans (Almost) Universally Perceive.

Part 1. Perception Principles (Gestalt and others).

Grouping.

Contrast.

Balance.

Simplicity.

Hierarchy.

Part 2. Body/Mind Basics: How the Eye/Brain Sees, Perceives, Reads..

Words.

Color.

Symbols.

Chapter 2. What Usability Is and How You Can Achieve It.

Definition.

Audience research.

Value .

Types .

Qualitatitative.

Personas.

Ccenarios/tasks.

Quantitative.

The fine art and science of finding the question.

Can you get away without research?.

Case studies.

SECTION II. HOW TO DESIGN UNDERSTANDABLY.

Chapter 3. Type and Layout .

Size.

Style.

Case.

Grid: alignment, space, placement.

Production.

Chapter 4. Writing.

Chapter 5. Color.

SECTION III. HOW TO DESIGN MEANINGFUL GRAPHICS.

Chapter 6. Photos.

Chapter 7. Diagrams.

Chapter 8. Forms.

Chapter 9. Wayfinding.

Websites.

Maps.

Bibliography .

Directory of contributing designers and professors, and mentioned resources.

An information-design professor's class exercise.

Glossary.