An Analysis of Best Buy’s Store Organization

These previous pictures are from Best Buy. I am very impressed with the way they display information with wide open spaces surrounding the signs. Since the signs are spread out, It helps customers find different sections of the store. What also help are the colors of the signs. Our textbook states the following: “An extremely important tool for an information designer, color is a very effective way to convey differentiation. Color can also provide a sense of wayfinding, allowing readers to scan text and quickly isolate elements such as subheads and bullets” (Baer 90). Most signs use dark backgrounds with light text, so the signs not only stand out, but they are readable. The store also uses a good sense of grouping. Our textbook also states the following about grouping: “Clustering information can help readers quickly locate the information they are seeking, whether it be in a simple poster or a complex multi-media project. Multiple entry points allow a reader to absorb information as visual sound bites. The grouping of information can also signal hierarchies of importance, particularly when used in conjunction with changes in color, weight, and scale” (Baer 106). The second picture consists of HDTV Essentials and Accessories and states information under each step to elaborate some more.

 

This store is designed for audiences that have computers and have knowledge on how to connect and repair them. Best Buy also has an audience for video game, music, television, and movie lovers. Many people keep up with current technology, and Best Buy makes sure to make the information understandable for their customers.

Baer, Kim. Information Design Workbook. Massachusetts: Rockport, 2008. Print.

The Likes of Grouping

When learning information, it is very important to find information as easy as possible. One tool of instructional and information design is grouping. Grouping is described as the following: “Clustering information can help readers quickly locate the information they are seeking, whether it be in a simple poster or a complex multi-media project. Multiple entry points allow a reader to absorb information as visual sound bites. The grouping of information can also signal hierarchies of importance, particularly when used in conjunction with changes in color, weight, and scale” (Baer 106).

Here is an example. Our local library’s website has many links to information that patrons would be looking for. These links are helpful in separating different parts of information into groups. Here are some examples of links:

Hours & Closings

How to Get a Library Card

Museum Pass Information

These links provide basic information on each topic, but patrons can always call the library for more information. However as a start, this can work. The order of these links can also be a sign of importance. Patrons would always like to know the hours of operations so they can contact the library when they are open. Another important item is a library card; everyone needs one to borrow items. The museum passes are an extra perk to being a library patron.

I believe that this website is very organized, and patrons should have no problem finding information. Most of the time, simple grouping can be well-respected projects. Projects that involve information that is scattered all over the place can be a headache for reader, viewers, customers, and patrons.

Baer, Kim. Information Design Workbook. Massachusetts: Rockport, 2008. Print.

Goshen Library Website: http://www.goshenpubliclibrary.org

Using Information Design through Social Media

Out of all the design tools out there, I am most familiar with social media tools. One type of social media tool is YouTube, where people from all over the world can create videos about any topic. Videos can be used as an internal source, which is “one’s own images, ideas, visualizations, and perceptions” (Jacobson 195). I have created a few videos on YouTube; most of them consist of me singing my part in certain online choirs. One video, in particular, is me singing a song that was dedicated to the victims of the 2011 Japan Tsunami (Note: the lyrics are in Japanese, and the audio and video are not properly together, but you get the idea.):

(Here is a link to the video in case the video does not work on the blog itself:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f849Ix0eeeg&feature=g-upl)

This song is about coming together in times of crisis. Although this particular video is sung in a foreign language, song lyrics can help express information and feelings on any topic. With the popularity of YouTube, this video can connect with millions of people. Another website where this video can be posted is Facebook. If you have hundreds of friends on Facebook, each one could potentially forward it to their friends, etc.

Posting videos to blogs can make the blogs more interesting. Although words can be helpful in providing information through blogs, videos can help enhance the information. Videos can also provide information without the use of blogs. While watching videos, viewers can make their own imaginations to make interpretations about the videos themselves.

Jacobson, Robert. Information Design. Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2000. Print.

The Process of Information Design

Since this is a class about information design, it is important to understand the process of how these projects come about. Our textbook states several steps in this process: “diagram the process, who’s on the team, assign point people, the timeline, and a conclusion” (Baer 34-35). Everyone needs to understand the process of a project before anything can begin. There also needs to be an outline of everyone’s specific roles and tasks and making sure there is contact information to reach everybody. Deadlines also need to be made clear for each project so that each task should be completed on time. During Hurricane Sandy, I worked with my county’s emergency management team taking phone calls from the public and municipalities. Each of us in that department has a role in helping our county during a desperate time of need. We also had a list of each person’s phone number to transfer calls and reach people interoffice. Every call was to be answered immediately, and we had to make sure all accurate information was given to the public as soon as possible. Since this was a life-and-death situation, every minute that passed was crucial. We want to reach the conclusion that everyone is safe and has the information they need to make it through the storm.

“According to Oliver Reichenstein, “95% of the information on the web is written language.” Just like handwriting, it is important for information designers to choose a font that is clear and not too hard for readers to read. The following is from the article “Web Design is 95% Typography:” “The main—usually whiny—argument against typographical discipline online is that there are only few fonts available. The second argument is that the screen resolution is too low, which makes it hard to read pixelated or anti-aliased fonts in the first place. The typographer shouldn’t care too much what kind of fonts he has at his disposal. Actually the choice of fonts shouldn’t be his major concern. He should use what is available at the time and use it the best he can” (Reichenstein article). It is true that most information designers work with the fonts they are given, but some people have gone overboard with some fonts. I have seen local posters hung up for parties or other events where the font is a little hard to read. Information designers should not worry about fonts because they need to be sure that their writings are easy to read.

In my experience, the process of information design is decent. The most important step is having a clear font and making information clear. As a blogger, I do not worry about the font of my blog as long as I know that it is readable. When I provide information, I provide examples that back up my statements. Using real-life examples can help others understand a point clearly.

Baer, Kim. Information Design Workbook. Massachusetts: Rockport, 2008. Print.

Reichenstein, Oliver. “Web Design is 95% Typography.” Information Architects Inc. 2012. Web. 30 Oct 2012. <https://esc.angellearning.com/section/content/Default.asp?WCI=pgDisplay&WCU=CRSCNT&ENTRY_ID=9F75203E8C2A471584D2BFC65D7A22DE&gt;

Theory of Information Design: Communication

One theory of information design that is extremely important every day of our lives is communication. Our textbook states the following: “The central idea here is that information is made and unmade in communication–intrapersonal, interpersonal, social, organizational, national, and global. With this view of information, information design cannot treat information as a mere thing to be economically and effectively packaged for distribution. Rather, it insists that information design is, in effect, metadesign: design about design, design to assist people to make and unmake their own informations, their own sense” (Jacobson 42-43).

Basically, this theory states that we should not present information so it could go in one ear and out the other. We are given information to think and expand our knowledge on subjects. One perfect example is blogging. People write blogs to provide information on a variety of topics. Our classes, such as this one, allow us to write blogs where we have to expand our knowledge and provide an analysis of how we understand these topics. Students cannot afford for this information to go in one ear and out the other. With the practice of analyzing different topics, it can help us in the long run with real life situations as well, such as giving advice to family and friends. Without knowing how to analyze situations, we would not be able to provide advice.

I like the idea of how education allows us to learn about theories and apply to our real life situations. I have found that to be the case in several of my college courses so far. Real life can also be an education for us. Communication is also key in successful relationships. With a lack of communication and information, some relationships just may not work.

Jacobson, Robert. Information Design. Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2000. Print.

What is Information Design?

Information Design is defined by “the Society for Technical Communication’s (STC) special interest group for information design, which describes the discipline as ‘…the translating (of) complex, unorganized, or unstructured data into valuable, meaningful information. It is practiced by a variety of professionals in various settings, working on many different types of projects, ranging from print to online to environmental to experimental design. They are used in fields such as graphic design, information architecture, interaction deisgn, usability engineering, human-computer interaction, human factors, writing, editing, and library sciences.” ( Baer 12).

An example of human-computer interaction could be IBM’s Watson. This machine can be asked any question and, most of the time, will answer it correctly. This computer was used in an episode of Jeopardy! against Jeopardy Champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Watson would buzz in quickly for most of the questions and would answer some questions correctly, with the exception of a notable few. Watson won the championship. A computer can be a large encyclopedia, filled with information that you can access easily.

Writing is definitely a part of information design. For example, newspapers provide us with daily information on news stories. Also, a blog, such as this one, can provide one with information on any subject. And of course, libraries are information central. In addition to books, libraries have also adapted to the computer world, using online catalogs as opposed to card catalogs. Libraries have books on almost every topic imaginable. The librarians are always there to help!

 Baer, Kim. Information Design Workbook. Massachusetts: Rockport, 2008. Print.