Improving information design practice: A closer look at conceptual design methods

As novel tools and techniques for visualizing information grow popular, many information design solutions are increasingly demonstrating high technical and visual sophistication, but often at the expense of thoughtful, effective communication. This recurring phenomenon highlights an overemphasis on the production of design outputs and failure to understand the initial problem, content, and audience early in a project. We assert that ineffective information design results primarily from a lack of rigor in the conceptual stage of the design process, when critical decisions determine the end result. We propose 23 methods information designers may adopt to reinforce their conceptual design activities.