Visual Information For Everyday Use

Creating graphical communication for public use represents both a large industry and a fertile area for thoughtful and innovative research and development. In this collection some of the world's figures within the interdisciplinary field of public graphics have been brought together to share their wisdom and present a look at this exciting world. This text is divided into a number of sections representing the rich diversity of concerns embraced by visual information designers. The first section is devoted to these foundational issues before moving on to particular domains of interest within public graphics: user instructions; warnings; forms; tables and graphs; maps and plans; way-finding information; and graphic symbols. This book is designed as a companion for anyone concerned with visual information design, particularly in the context of everyday use. Contributions are included from ergonomists, psychologists, commercial designers and health and safety professionals. The audience reflects these contributions and is pitched at a level which allows it to provide both practical guidelines and a rigorous academic understanding of the field.