Communication Research Institute

We improve communication

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 04:30:00 +2000


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We improve websites, intranets, documents, voice systems, labels, instructions, and more. We have helped 200 + organisations since 1985. We have a unique evidence-based track record.

Politics and the bored spectatorâa provocation

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:30:00 +2000

by David Sless

Elections are not getting any better, and the problems with the one we have just had in Australia are no different to earlier ones. But this time, I think (and hope) that the problems are more obvious to a wider group of thoughtful people. After the 1993 Federal Election in Australia, I wrote a 'provocation' to my research colleagues. The only thing that has changed since then is that it probably doesn't seem quite so provocative, and the many faults in using focus groups are more widely recognised. But will anyone do anything?

Why do information design?

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:30:00 +2000

by David Sless

Paper presented at Infodesign 98
Churchill College, Cambridge, April 1998

Preamble

Yes, why do information design?

Apart from the obvious reasonsâyou're brilliant at it, you like the working conditions, you make lots of money, it will make you famousâwhat is the raison dâÃ©tre of information design? What are the passions that motivate us?

I ask this question because I think if we can answer this question in a way that satisfies many of us, we also have an underlying rationale for information design education.

Designing philosophy 2

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:00:00 +2000

By David Sless

Summary

Drawing on the everyday experience of collaborative design, and using ordinary language, I examine the nature of design practices and rules, how they come about, and how we use them. I offer some arguments to suggest that our conventional ways of thinking about rules are wrong. I conclude by arguing that the practice of designing and doing philosophy are merging, opening up exciting new possibilities.

This paper was originally published in Visible Language v41 n2 p45-74 2007 and is republished here for the benefit of our Members and Fellows.

Financial statement for 2003

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:30:00 +2000

Medicine Information Design

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:10:00 +2000

If you are writing, testing, or evaluating patient information leaflets (PIL), consumer medicines information (CMI), or medicine labels, this course, taught by international experts in the field, will provide you with professional qualifications to undertake the work.

Information Design: an introduction to the course

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +2000

Introduction

It may seem on the face of it that there is little in common between designing a product such as a building or a machine and designing the communication between, say, a medicine supplier and a consumer, an insurance company and a client, or a town planner and a pedestrian.

In fact, there is a remarkable similarity in the overall principles and processes used.

This paper is one of the introductory texts for the CRI/IIID diploma course Performance-based Information Design. It provides a brief history of design and information design from 40,000BC to the present, together with some of the basic principles and methods of information design (Jones 1980).

For information about this and other CRI courses, contact Dr Ruth Shrensky, our Director of Studies.

Guidelines for managing stakeholders at the scoping stage

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +2000

Introduction

Managing stakeholders is one of the most difficult, demanding, and time consuming aspects of any communication or information design project. We estimate that dealing with the many interests that converge on a design project takes about 50% of the project effort, and it is the source of the greatest risk to achieving a productive project outcome.

We have, therefore, put a lot of research effort and analysis into finding the best ways of managing stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. We have investigated the field of stakeholder management, tested the methods we have developed in live projects, and refined the methods so that they minimise the risk of project failure.

In this guide we give you a step by step process for managing stakeholders at the all important scoping stage of a project.

On clarity

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:20:00 +2000

Communication, design, and clarity (1)

by David Sless

One of the ways in which people describe the quality of communication is to talk about its clarity. Insofar as designers are involved in communication, clarity matters. Whether it is communication with clients, stakeholders, fellow collaborators or users, the quality of communication is important. Also, in some areas of designâsuch as information designâclarity is not just a means to an end, but is often an end in itself. Making instructions, bills, forms, websites, labels, way-finding systems and so on clear and easy for people to use is the raison dÃ©tre for information design.

Performance-based Information Design

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:20:00 +2000

Become a uniquely qualified professional information designer with world-leading expert guidance from the pioneers of performance-based design.

Communication Research Institute

We improve communication

Politics and the bored spectatorâa provocation

Why do information design?

Designing philosophy 2

Summary

Financial statement for 2003

Medicine Information Design

Information Design: an introduction to the course

Introduction

Guidelines for managing stakeholders at the scoping stage

Introduction

On clarity

Communication, design, and clarity (1)

Performance-based Information Design

Politics and the bored spectatorâa provocation