ITAP Canon 2
Information design is an important and large part of graphic communication. As visual communicators our job is to communicate messages visually, whereas in information design the task is finding a way to display information in a clear, simple and sometimes in an exciting way. Nowadays information is seen across a variety of medium; print and the quickly growing digital platforms. The way we access and interact with information is changing rapidly, the digital world is expanding and user experience is a key factor for any designer to consider.
A good example of way-finding graphics is Legible London, by the Applied Information Group. The project sees 3 types of on-street signs cleverly designed to suit its environment, the information graphics are clear and very helpful, and using the ‘heads up’ style it’s easy to see which way your facing. More info here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/legible-london/4.aspx
The only problem I can see currently with the Legible London project is the lack of digital application; I couldn’t find anywhere on the website digital versions of the maps or an app utilising the technology available nowadays. Legible London project is obviously just an on-street map project for now and it would be stupid of them not to use it in digital medium.
A really good example of maps utilising the digital medium is the Brighton maps available online to download from VisitBrighton and the app version available on the iPhone. A very similar style to Legible London that is clear and simple and works great as a PDF download that can either be viewed on-screen or printed out. The app works great as it keeps the same map style but introduces interactive elements like pinch-to-zoom feature to focus in areas of the map you want to view and a great feature to change your view to specify what your looking for; attractions, shopping and nightlife views displaying the same map but with different information on each view. Also a nice feature is the optional walking distance graphics available to let you know how far away everything is to where you are. The thing I found disappointing with the app is the lack interactive elements such as links to more information on certain attractions, which I thought, would have been quite basic.
Other digital platforms to look at in way-finding and map information graphics could be moving image or interactive displays you could find again in public places at information points. More common information points are appearing in the form of touchscreen points where user interface, accessibility and simplicity are key. Why not apply this to maps?