An Overview of Information Design on Web- Based Media

Abstract

ABSTRACT

“Information Design is the defining, planning and visualization of the contents of a message with the intention of achieving particular objectives in relation to the needs of the target users” (International Institute for Information Design). It is an area of communication design that is particularly concerned with understanding users and their responses to textually and visually presented information. The process of information design may include planning, collecting, editing, organizing, structuring, and presenting information through concern with communication purpose, context of use, and how users should search, find, retrieve, perceive, process, comprehend, and utilize or transform information into actions easily, accurately, and effectively. However, as communication shifts from print to digital media, the array of information and the user’s ability to selectively interact with it changes structurally. Due to the differences in purpose and media attributes, the information design of a web site can’t simply borrow design principles or methods from traditional communication design alone. As a result, this article discusses the discipline and current practice of information design in web-based media, and how these traditional design principles in print media should be reconsidered to fit the new context and requirements.

Keywords: Information Design, Information Architecture, Web-based Media