Graphic Information Design
Graphic information design – simply the presentation of information in an accessible and easy to use format.
I specialise in taking complicated documents – analysis reports, financial reports, instructions – and making them pleasing to the eye, but more importantly, so they make sense to the end-user.
Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a ‘boring’ word document or spreadsheet, transformed into a clear and concise piece of work. Organising information can be overwhelming and complicated, and while you may see it clearly and be able to understand it, other people may not. I try and look at something from the audience’s point of view, I ask the questions they will ask and will ensure the information presented is easy to understand, and interesting, attractive and if needs be reflect the brand and identity of the company providing it.
Maps
I love maps. OK I don’t love all maps, I love a good map. One that is easy to follow, that at a glance takes you where you need to go or tells you what you need to know.
It seems like such a simple concept but so easy to get wrong – often the ‘design’ of a map overrides the functionality – we get over-excited about the way it looks rather than how it works.
Last year I was asked to design a map for St Just here in West Cornwall. St Just is quite unique in that it has a lot of businesses, many of them hidden, and a lot of places of interest in quite a small space. As well as this we needed to incorporate the wider area to encourage visitors to Pendeen and the Tin Coast. Most important was keeping the map clear of clutter, easy for a new visitor to pick up and understand where they were and where they could go, without overwhelming them with too much information.
The final piece has received a lot a positive feedback and I am thrilled with the outcome – so many local businesses have said it is something they’ve needed for a long time.
