Want to know how to get the best out of your information design project? Here are some top tips to get you started
- Put the project in context. An information designer will to want to consider your design problem in its business context. This may mean that they will question if designing what you are asking for will solve your problem.
- Keep an open mind when discussing the project with your information designer. Remember you are paying the designer to analyse the problem for you and to recommend what he or she considers to be the best solution.
- Be prepared to explain your documents. Information designers will to want to discuss the content and wording of your information, as well as its appearance.
- Get people talking. If different subcontractors are tackling different aspects of the same project, make sure that they are able to meet and co-ordinate their approaches. For example, if information technology specialists and designers are working on the same database, they must each be aware of the other's requirements and constraints.
- Try out new documents, or arrange for this to be done, wherever possible. Even if you don't have the resources for formal usability testing, informal trials with just a few users can be very helpful.
- Understand your audience and their needs - involve them in the project and listen to what they tell you.