Week Six | Part One

The Importance of Images

Images have been an essential component of design for as long as human beings have needed to share information.

Map, charts, cartoons, pictures, road signs, and illustrations are all examples of how people share ideas and knowledge through the use of images.

Images convey information to inform, advise, or pursuade. They are perhaps more valuable than words because they are not dependent on a spoken language. This does leave room for interpretation on the part of the viewer, and by that fact images are also a less precise means to communicate abstract thought or complex instruction.

With this idea in mind, it is perhaps best to use images in your design to convey mood or to use as instruments of simpler activities --- such as a red button to connote 'stop' or a picture of a shopping cart to connote 'buy now'.

"Envisioning Information", written by Yale professor emeritus Edward Tufte, examines the use of imagery to convey information for both paper and computer screen.

Using maps, charts, scientific presentations, diagrams, computer interfaces, and many other examples, Professor Tufte provides practical advice about the fundamental principles of information displays.

If you are serious about design, and particularly design for the Web, I strongly recommend you add this resource to your library.

Learn more about Envisioning Information here »

Please go to Week Six Part 2 ».