The Steps of the Information Design Process

Simply stated the ultimate goal of information design is effective communication. The first step in the information design process is identifying what needs to be communicated (aka the problem), to whom, and by whom. A creative brief is then assembled that gives an overview of the problem, the intended audience, and the key project details. The brief will serve as a reference guide and source of inspiration throughout the design process. Once approved by the client the design team creates a broad outline called a sitemap. Then a wireframe or schematic that fleshes it out. The final step is developing and testing prototypes. 

It’s important to note that the sitemap and wireframes are considered planning documents. They should not contain design details. They also should not be too refined or else “…run the risk of confusing your clients into thinking they are looking at visual design. And…inadvertently starting or pre-empting the visual design process before that phase has begun” (Baer, p 73). The same caution should be taken with early prototypes so that testers focus on the information design not the visual design.

Throughout the design process the design team should be referencing back to the brief and getting client approval before moving on to the next step. They should also establish a regular testing schedule. 

The most important step of the process is identifying the problem. This is the foundation for the entire design. An error here can result in the failure of the entire project. In addition to time, effort, and money wasted, you or your firm’s reputation could suffer. Testing regularly throughout the various stages and comparing results to the goals and guidelines established in the creative brief can help identify design flaws or weaknesses before it gets too far along in the process.

Applying the Process

When I created this blog I had not yet learned the steps of the information design process. However, as it is somewhat intuitive I managed to follow most of the steps without realizing it. 

The first step was identifying the problem (create a blog), the intended audience (instructor, classmates), and the content creator (me). The instructor’s blogging assignment instructions and blog assignments would provide the project requirements for a creative brief.

My blog is hosted by Blogger which created the sitemap and wireframes for the blog site. Wireframes could also be developed for the blog posts with varying arrangements of textual and graphical elements.

Retroactively working the problem through the lens of the information design process I realize that each post can be treated as a test. Not only of the graphical and textual design, but the approach to the content as well. I also realize that because this is a class project an interesting dynamic has been created wherein the intended audience can also be considered a focus group as well as the competition. And with everyone working on the same topics differentiation is key. An "ongoing goal should be to continuously develop innovative content and set a unique spin on the topic you['re] blogging about" (Soare, 2017).

Blog effectiveness can be measured in post views, audience engagement, and direct feedback from the instructor and classmates.

Resources
1344296. (2017, April 3). Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1344296

Baer, K. (2008). Information design workbook: Graphic approaches, solutions, and inspiration. Rockport: Rockport.

Dance, A. (2018, July 23). 11 Strategies for Successful Blog Content in Any Industry. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://bizzmarkblog.com/strategies-successful-blog-content-any-industry/

Manning, L. (n.d.). Sketchbook. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenmanning/6632169501 (Originally photographed 2011, November 27)

Olenski, S. (2015, December 23). 7 Strategies To Help Build The Perfect Blog For Your Business. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2015/12/23/7-strategies-to-help-build-the-perfect-blog-for-your-business/#26d3e3cb2aac

Ramsay. (2017, September 26). A Proven Blogging Strategy that Works in Any Niche. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://www.blogtyrant.com/blogging-strategy/

Ramsay. (2019, January 01). Starting a Blog: A Complete Guide for Serious Beginners in 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://www.blogtyrant.com/start-a-blog-2014/

Soare, D. (2017, December 15). 11 Blogging Strategies to A Successful Blog in 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://www.drsoft.com/2017/12/15/successful-blogging-strategies/