Customer Reviews

Information Graphics and Visual Clues: Communicating Information through Graphic Design

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book looking for examples of transmitting useful information graphically. But in the entire book, I can only find one page about that: the map on page 17. The other 207 pages of this book are strictly about traditional graphic design, by which I mean graphics going for emotional impact, not informational. Just look at the chapter headings:

Chapter 1: Publication Identity Systems
Chapter 2: Posters and Other Promotions
Chapter 3: Logos and Stationary
Chapter 4: Illustrations
Chapter 5: Holiday Greetings

Advertising, posters, logos, catalogs. As a book about graphic design, it might be okay. But putting the words "Information Design" is a blatant lie. I recommend you read something by Tufte instead.

I bought this book based on the editorial description promise that it would explain how various information graphics "worked". Unfortunately, I found it to be more of an analysis of advertising graphics instead of information graphics.

Too many of the examples consist of various advertising campaigns or promotional material. Nice as they are, I don't classify them as information graphics; i.e., they don't convey information or instruction.

One good example of information graphics from the book would be the Burton Snowboards instruction manual. Here, clear graphics and judicious use of color provide users worldwide with simple, easily understood instructions, regardless of the language of the customer. Unfortunately, this type of example is the exception rather than the rule.

The majority of the examples in the book, while certainly clever and entertaining, are more like the Big Daddy Photography corporate identity project. The logo definitely creates a mood, but I would argue that it doesn't provide the viewer with any additional information about the company.

I gave the book two stars for overall appearance, and the few good examples. Any reader looking for infinitely more valuable sources on designing information graphics would be well served by simply buying all three of the Tufte books.