The Simplified blog

Hi

Here's a quote from Paul Rand, as quoted in Edward Tufte's 'Envisioning Information':

'Readers of a report should be unaware of its 'design'. Rather, they should be enticed into reading it by interesting content, logical arranagement and simple presentation. The printed page should appear natural and authoritative, avoiding gimmicks which might get in the way of its documentary character.' (Paul Rand, 'Design' in Speaking Out on Annual Reports (New York, 1983)

Too often, when companes brief agencies on 'designing' their reports, they focus on the 'decoration' (photos, colours, even 'corporate identities') and not on the data - which is what the readers have picked up the report to see. To me, this shows disrespect or ignorance (or both) for the needs and wants of the readers.

Information design principles should be the anchor for designing a report.

Here are some interesting sites: Many eyes and Visual-Literacy.Org (thanks Michele for the link).

Frances