project 03 :: reading response 01

Reading response in reference to excerpts from:

Visocky O’Grady, Jenn and Ken. The Information Design Handbook. 2008.

1. The excerpt from this reading offers helpful information about the differences between an icon, a symbol, and an index. 

An icon is a literal visual representation of something. For example, this is an icon of a camera. There is not necessarily a connotation associated with it; it is simply a depiction of a camera.

http://www.freeiconspng.com/free-images/camera-icon-52

On the other hand, a symbol is an abstract representation of something. For example, the Nike logo is a symbol. It is an abstract form associated with the Nike brand, but apart from that association, it has no inherent meaning.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Logo_NIKE.svg/2000px-Logo_NIKE.svg.png

Finally, an index deals with representation by connection. The depiction below of a man and a woman is more than an icon because it is connected with showing people where the restroom is. Therefore, it is an index.

http://clipart-library.com/clipart/kc8ngXKzi.htm

2. A new principle or theory that I found interesting from this reading was thinking about wayfinding in terms of points, lines, and planes (pp. 72). This principle says that points are places, landmarks, or signs, lines are perceived boundaries or the paths that lead us from one point to another, and planes are the larger groupings of like information. I think this way of visualizing and thinking conceptually about creating wayfinding resources is helpful!

3. 4 "Quick Tips" from the reading that I want to apply to my information design project:

• Provide help at decision points
• I chose this one because I think it will help me decide where to provide the most useful information within my design. Make sure to target where people will need to make decisions!
• Don't reinvent the wheel
• I want to make sure to conduct research into methods, symbols, icons, and indexes already in place and make efficient use of them within my information design. It will be easier for both me and my users if I capitalize on what already works!
• 70 is the magic number
• I've never heard this idea of 70% contrast being the perfect amount before! This will be helpful, especially if my information design would be implemented outdoors and viewed from a far distance.
• Provide options
• This will be important for me to remember going forward. I want to make sure to accommodate a variety of users by structuring the information in a way that "allows the reader to attain multiple levels of understanding, from overview to expert."