How Can We “Visualize” the World? Essential Foundations of Information Design for Best Practices

Abstract

Relations between data can be very complex, and therefore finding unique ways to accurately convey these data in order to detect trends, patterns and outliers is a very valuable opportunity. The purpose of this study is to highlight current challenges facing Information Design (ID), considering the overload of information that is inherent to modern living. How can we “visualize” the world? What are the functional, aesthetic and cognitive principles that interfere with the way we visualize information and prepare that information? What visual variables can we use to produce visual information that aims to build a functional visual message that a particular audience can understand? The main objectives are: a) to clarify some concepts linked to the act of visualizing; b) to present certain factors that influence the perception of visual information; c) to highlight the main advantages of visual information. The present study is qualitative, and it was supported based on the documentary analysis of several authors. The role of ID is to transform chaos into order and information into meanings and knowledge, helping people to reach information. In an era where we are constantly surrounded by information and messages, all of which trying to get our attention, the way in which information is organized, written and presented is extremely important, so that we can all understand it. Visualizing the world is the best way to understand it in an efficient way.