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Information and Interface Design

Unit Code: HDG632

Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
1 semester.	36 hours per semester	Prahran	Competence in the use of page layout, digital imaging/illustration, web publishing and motion graphics software packages is expected.	Competence in the use of page layout, digital imaging/illustration, web publishing and motion graphics software packages is expected.

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

A unit in the course:

Master of Design (Communication Design)

Master of Design (Multimedia Design)

Aims & Objectives:

For students to enhance their understanding of the possibilities of information architecture, interfaces and narrative structures across a variety of media.
• To appreciate that the clear and concise graphic representation of information can be considered a public utility that can improve the quality of our lives, the decisions we make, when, how and why we make them
• For students to reference, deconstruct and critically evaluate the works of other designers, developers, cinematographers, directors and animators
• To identify and document information design conventions and interface protocols
• Develop fluency in the language and terminology that applies to Information design, visualisation and interface development
• Consistently use advanced planning and management strategies specific to the area of interest
• Practice thorough and sophisticated visualisation and pre-visualisation techniques appropriate to specific media
• Apply advanced technology skills to determine the project outcome
• Demonstrate professional competencies in the development of conceptual design, visualisation and interactive interface design.

Teaching Methods:

The teaching approach will be project based work, presented, developed and reviewed within a classroom environment, staff and student presentations and discussion of work in progress (critique). Presentation and critical review of local and international designers, works and artifacts. Occasional lectures. Some learning materials will be provided online via Blackboard.

Assessment:

Research Project 40% Due Week 6

Final Project 60% Due Week 13

Content:

Learning Objectives
At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Research, interrogate and interpret data sources
• Classify and organise content
• Consider 2D and 3D representation conventions
• Analyse, describe, invent and propose structured diagrammatic visual documents
• Demonstrate sequencing for textual, diagrammatic and pictorial content within communication design
• Utilise appropriate software packages to generate highly resolved visual proposals
• Develop information and interface solutions that positively impact on individuals, the community and society.

Learning and Teaching Activities
Classes will typically include information dissemination and discussion, project related activity, groupwork within sessions–possibly contributing to projects, student presentations, lecturer and peer critique sessions.

Practical exercises and projects provide the vehicles for experiential learning in this specific area of communication and multimedia design. They are designed to highlight the functional differences between information design and other ‘commercial’ or marketing based communications. Tasks will require students to consider the purpose and context of each communication and work through the established ‘design process’ to generate suitable solutions.

Consultation
Consultation in addition to timetabled classes is by appointment and subject to the lecturer’s availability.

Preparation requirements
Students are expected to attend scheduled classes prepared with evidence of; research; conceptualising; and design project development–relevant to the project in hand. Other project related tasks may be required to be undertaken between sessions and delivered to the next class for further action, discussion or critique.

Content
This unit aims to explore conventional and innovative methods of communicating complex information clearly.
Topics include:
• Accessing and managing data and information
• Information hierarchies, related language, terms and definitions for linear and interactive outputs
• Interpret and present data in text and/or numerals, pictorial and visual narrative
• Graphic representational conventions: Symbols, diagrams, charts, maps, tables etc. to effectively communicate data
• Propose instructional and navigational systems: e.g. Pictorial sequencing. Way-finding and exploration
• Production and publishing context, consideration of information design functions and contexts
• Critical evaluation and review, self and peer evaluation tasks
• Design project documentation and reflection
• Dynamic interfaces and user experiences
• Advanced Interface design and interaction.

Reading Materials:

Garrett, JJ, 2003 The Elements of User Experience, AIGA New Riders, New York.
Harris, RL, 1999 Information Graphics: A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference, Oxford University Press, New York.
Heller, S, 2006 Nigel Holmes on Information Design, Jorge Pinto Books Inc. New York.
Herdeg, W, 1981 Graphis Diagrams: The Graphic Visualization of Abstract Data (4th Ed.), Graphis Press, Zurich
Holmes, N, 1984 A Designers Guide to Creating Charts and Diagrams, Watson-Gupill, New York.
Jacobson, R (ed.), 1999 Information Design, Cambridge, MIT Press.
Kinross, R, 1985 The Rhetoric of Neutrality - Design Issues, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Autumn, 1985), pp. 18-30
Meggs, PB, 1998 A History of Graphic Design, John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Mijksenaar, P, 1997 Visual Function, An Introduction to Information Design, Princeton Architectural Press, New York.
Nakagaki, N, 1995 Diagram Graphics 2, Pie Books, Tokyo
Pettersson, R 2002 Information Design: An Introduction, John Benjamins, Amsterdam.
Shedroff, N, 2001 Experience Design 1, New Riders, New York.
Tufte, ER, 1990 Envisioning Information, Graphics Press, Cheshire.
Tufte, ER, 2003 Visual Explanations, Graphics Press, Cheshire.
Tufte, ER, 2006 Beautiful Evidence, Graphics Press, Cheshire.
White, AW, 2002 The Elements of Graphic Design, Allworth Press, New York.
Wildbur, P & Burke, M, 1999 Information Graphics, Innovative Solutions In Contemporary Design, Thames & Hudson, New York.
Wurman, RS. 1996 Information Architects Graphis Press, Zurich