【Information Studies I】 Communication and Information Design: Techniques for Communicating Clearly
Hello everyone! Today, we are going to learn about "Communication and Information Design."
When you hear the word "design," you might imagine "drawing a nice picture" or "making something stylish." However, in the world of information, design is a bit different. It refers to the "thoughtful effort to convey information accurately, clearly, and efficiently."
It might feel a bit difficult at first, but we are surrounded by many familiar examples, like the screen on your smartphone or signs at the train station. Let’s relax and dive in!
---1. Classifying Communication
We exchange information every day in various ways. First, let’s organize the types of communication.
(1) Choosing the Right Media
The means used to convey information are called media. These can be broadly categorized along two axes.
- Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
- Synchronous: Phone calls or face-to-face conversations. You share the same time with the other person. (Benefit: You get an immediate response.)
- Asynchronous: Email, SNS, bulletin boards. The other person can check it whenever they like. (Benefit: You can send at your own pace, and it leaves a record.)
- Individual (1-to-1) vs. Group (1-to-Many / Many-to-Many)
- Individual: LINE private chats or phone calls.
- Group: TV broadcasts, websites, or public posts on social media.
[Key Point]
There isn't one "best" method; it's important to choose according to your purpose. If it’s urgent, use a phone call (synchronous); if you are sending something late at night, use a message (asynchronous).
2. Foundations of Information Design
Organizing information and shaping it so that it is correctly communicated to the receiver is called information design.
(2) Usability for Everyone: Accessibility and Universal Design
This is the most important concept in design.
- Accessibility: Ensuring that anyone can reach (access) information, regardless of age or physical condition.
- Usability: How "easy to use" something is for a specific user.
- Universal Design: Designing something from the start to be "easy for anyone to use."
(Example: The "notches" on a shampoo bottle. Thanks to these, you can tell the difference between shampoo and conditioner even with your eyes closed. This is a perfect example of information design!)
(3) Visualization
Content is understood more quickly through diagrams and graphs than through a list of numbers.
- Pictogram: Symbols that convey information without using words. (Example: Emergency exit signs, restroom signs.)
- Choosing the Right Graph:
- Bar Graph: Used to compare the magnitude of quantities.
- Line Graph: Used to look at changes (trends) over time.
- Pie Chart: Used to look at proportions within a whole.
[Pro Tip]
If the "Others" category in a pie chart is too large, or if you intentionally distort the scale of a line graph, it becomes "bad design" that misleads the reader. The fundamental rule is to communicate honestly!
3. Digital Representation Rules: Color and Layout
There are specific rules when handling information on a computer.
(4) Color Representation (RGB and CMYK)
This is a high-frequency topic for tests!
- RGB: The primary colors of light (Red, Green, Blue). Used for smartphone and TV screens. Mixing them creates brightness, moving toward white (Additive Color Mixing).
- CMYK: The primary colors of pigment (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) plus black (Key plate). Used for printer ink. Mixing them creates darkness, moving toward black (Subtractive Color Mixing).
[Common Mistake]
The phenomenon where "the color I saw on the PC (RGB) looks different from the printed version (CMYK)" happens precisely because these color systems work differently.
(5) The 4 Principles of Layout
These are the "magic rules" for making your documents easy to read.
- Proximity: Group related items close together.
- Alignment: Align elements along edges to create order.
- Repetition: Repeat the same rules (colors or shapes) consistently.
- Contrast: Make important parts stand out by making them larger or changing their color.
4. UI and UX
These are common terms nowadays, so let's clarify the difference.
- UI (User Interface): The parts the user "sees and touches," such as buttons on a screen or fonts.
- UX (User Experience): The "experience itself," such as feeling that a service is "fun" or "convenient" to use.
(Example: A remote control with buttons that are easy to press is a good "UI." Being able to enjoy TV without stress thanks to that is a good "UX.")
---Summary: Key Points of this Chapter
・There are synchronous and asynchronous media; choosing the right one is key.
・The goal of information design is to communicate "accurately, efficiently, and clearly."
・Universal design makes things easy for everyone to use.
・Screens use RGB (light), while printing uses CMYK (ink).
・The basics of layout are "Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, and Contrast"!
It might feel like there's a lot to memorize at first, but thinking about "how can I convey this in a way that is kind to the receiver?" is the first step of information design. Try looking at the apps you use and the signs around town with the perspective of, "What kind of design choices were made here?"