Let’s talk ‘information design process’.  Process, defined by Oxford Languages simply means “a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.”

The best and most practical way I can think of to explain a process within Information Design is to start with the Outline of the Process. This is one of the most important steps of information development because it provides a pragmatic approach and foundation of –  ‘what’ the project consists of,  ‘who’ is involved, ‘how’ are roles and responsibilities assigned based on expertise, ‘what’ is the timeline by task and project, and finally, a systematic way of keeping everyone moving forward and aligned.

Just as important of what goes into your information design is what should not be included in your project. According to a study from the Communication Research Institute in Australia resources use 50% of the project time involved in politics, that is, “Politics is about people’s interests. People argue and define what is of interest to them materially and organizationally.”  (Baer p.35) This objective approach provides the checks and balances to keep the information accurate, purposeful and  timely.

This process could be improved by including metrics that validate the content is useful, example: if the intent is to increase market share then how will growth be measured or weighted against this project?

Here is an example of a design information outline: (author: Priscilla Repka using MS Excel project templates, March 2021).

“Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.”

Paul Rand,  American art director and graphic designer

References

Baer, Kim, “Process: Discovery”, Information Design Workbook, Rockport Publishers, Beverly Massachusetts,

Oxford Languages, https://www.google.com/search?q=process+definition&oq=process+de&aqs=chrome.0.0i433j69i57j0i131i433l2j0l3j69i61.3314j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Rand, Paul, Paul Rand Quotes (Author of Thoughts on Design) (goodreads.com)