Information design

Information design is the design of information objects, and more generally the design of visual displays of data. Its most important component is structuring information so it will be as learnable or useful as possible. While information design has been practiced since the first book was written (and even before), the modern sense of the term became popular with the advent of the computer and the new efficiency in creating and manipulating data displays allowed by spreadsheet programs.

The goal of the study of information design is not only to record best practices in the area, but to formalize the skills, principles, and technology involved (in a manner similar to instructional design) and to eventually surround itself with an information design theory.

In computer science and information technology, information design is sometimes a rough synonym for information architecture, the design of information systems, databases, or data structures. This sense includes data modelling and process analysis.