Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- explain the significance of understanding information and manage methods of implementing it in a range of different knowledge use contexts
- make use of usability psychology and user testing in visual planning
- acquire, analyse and organise complicated data for visualization purposes
- plan understandable information design solutions using visual design methods

Implementation and methods of teaching

The course is primarily carried out as an independent study, i.e. familiarisation with reading and other materials and completion of the given assignment package.

An alternative implementation in a ZOOM environment, consisting of four learning days in a ZOOM environment and one visiting day in Helsinki. One month before the start of the course, two pre-assignments will also be sent by e-mail. The course is a very intensive one, so active participation is important, especially on the first two days. The lectures will not be offered as recordings, the method of delivery will include small exercises to be done in class.

Timing and attendance

On your own time, without attendance obligations. Return of assignments 9.12.2024.

The dates of the execution mode in the ZOOM environment:
8.11.2024 - 10am-5pm / Course opening, introduction to information design, information design workflow
9.11.2024 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. / Typography, form design, routing.
15.11.2024 - 10-17 / Data visualisation
23.11.2024 - 10-16 / Information graphics
29.11.2024 - 10-16 / Visiting day in Helsinki
Attendance requirement for the alternative mode of delivery 80%. Attendance will be recorded on the basis of small exercises completed in class.
Return of final coursework 9.12.2024

Learning material and recommended literature

Johnson, Jeff (2010): Designing with the mind in mind
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According your own interest to support your final project:

Pontis, Sheila and Babwahsingh, Michael (2023)
Information Design Unbound

Baer, Kim.; Vacarra, Jill (2008)
Information design workbook graphic approaches, solutions, and inspiration + 30 case studies

Krug, Steve (2010)
Rocket Surgery Made Easy
New Riders

Krug, Steve (2014)
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited

Enders, Jessica (2016)
Designing UX: Forms • Create Forms That Don't Drive Your Users Crazy

Calori, Chris and Vanden-Eynden, David (2015):
Signage and Wayfinding Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Environmental Graphic Design Systems

Alternative completion methods

Yes, if there are enough participants. More detailed description above.

Learning environment

Self-selection.

Possible alternative implementation with ZOOM environment and visit.

Student time use and work load

Working on your own schedule.

In the possible alternative implementation, the 135 working hours are distributed as follows: common learning days in the ZOOM environment and visit of about 35 hours, independent and group work of about 100 hours.

Contents

The course provides a broad introduction to the information design tradition. The course progresses from perceptual psychology to practical examples, the knowledge of the main areas of information design such as infographics and data visualisation, and the use of typography and user interface design in one's own work.

Assessment criteria

Completion of assigned tasks, such as a personal development task as a final project.

In an alternative implementation, the assessment will be based on your own development task as a final project, the tasks given in lectures, your general activity and the preliminary assignment, as well as self- and peer-assessment in the case of group work.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

Students will receive a failing grade if they have not completed all course assignments within the specified time or have not met the learning objectives of the course.

In the case of alternative delivery, the student will receive a failing grade if the attendance requirement is not met, if student has not completed all the coursework within the prescribed time or if student has not achieved the learning outcomes of the course.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student
- understands the importance of comprehensibility of information and derive ways to implement it in different contexts
- understands the psychology of usability
- can acquire, analyse and structure data for visualisation purposes
- is able to design understandable information design solutions

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student knows how to
- justify the importance of comprehensibility of information and derive ways to implement it in different contexts of information use
- use usability psychology in design
- acquire, analyse and structure more than simple data for visualisation purposes
- design and implement high quality information design solutions.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student
- can critically justify the importance of comprehensibility of information and derive effective and appropriate ways to achieve it in different and demanding contexts of information use
- is able to make effective and creative use of usability psychology in design
- is able to acquire, analyse, structure and creatively but clearly apply complex data for visualisation purposes
- can design and implement information design solutions that combine good usability with good visual skills