Examples of Information/Instructional Design.

While this is a “new” media unit for these examples I have chosen to use older print examples, first aid posters being one that can cover both information and instructional design. Providing the information need to save someone’s life and giving instructions of how to do that. The information given can be as simple as a red cross, known world wide as a symbol for medical help, or it could be detailed information about the symptoms of an illness or affliction, these details would be in a language that related to where the poster was situated to give the best possible usage of it. As if it was in a language that was not relevant to the area it would of course fail in that respect as a informational design, the symbol however being a widely acknowledged sign should in most places be able to be correctly identified. As I mentioned above the layout plays an important role in some informational and instructional design, in particular in this case and instructional poster shows the users in which order to do the steps instructed when treating an illness or injury. The layout normally involves both the use of words and visual representations to give the user the greatest chance of being able to use the design, it is also often done in the form of a flow chart to show how and where one step leads onto the other. Through these design aspects the function of the information or instructional posters works to there fullest potential.

What is Informational/Instructional Design?

Ahh just like that other post I did, this seems like one of those topics that almost answers itself. However what is it really? Well in short the designing of a piece which informs the user in a simple yet effective manner. Like other design the layout of an informational design piece is important, as is any use of logos or brand names, however the information be it visual, audio or language based must be recognizable and be able to provide the end user with the information they require. It is important that the end user of an information design piece be considered when designing an information piece, because if they can not understand it then the design has essentially failed as is mentioned by Erik Spiekermann (2002). Instructional design is on the whole quiet similar however instead of informing the user of something, it instructs them on how to do something. Again the ability of the instructions to be displayed in a way that makes them understandable for the user is the key issue, while layout and style take a secondary position. However in saying that should the layout be confusing or unappealing in either situation the user may potentially choose not to use the design, or may not be able to locate it.