Information/ Instructional Design

Information design is based on the simple idea of DATA->INFORMATION->KNOWLEDGE->WISDOM. In other words, in order to create a design you first have to collect data, research information, create knowledge on the topic, and then use the design to improve on the information. It also focuses on designing a product or image, for a particular purpose or objective (unlike art which is usually there for sentimental reasons.)
It is said that information design "has the ability to create order out of seemingly inherit chaos." Which means that it can turn data, or facts which would ordinarily seem dull or confusing and transform it to be clearly understood, and appealing to view. It also designs information on for example a website in order to make it easier to navigate.

Information graphics, which is under the umbrella of information design involves three different elements, navigation, instructional, and statistical information. Like information design, information graphics is about revealing the data and making an audience think about the data and not the design. It is important to interactive design, because it helps web designers to use large amounts of data in a small amount of space, without confusing the viewer!

There are two examples below which demonstrate interactive websites using information design to contruct their data. The first is the website for cityrail, showing a map, that obviously a lot of data within in, yet designed in a way in which most people can understand. The second is an image from my facebook page, conveying that even though the site has so many different apps and links, simple navigation techniques has made it easy to use.