Communication of Complex Information

by Michael J. Albers

The amount of information available for any realistic complex situation is likely to overwhelm most users, as well as stymie any designer tasked with presenting the information. Providing large amounts of information in a coherent and usable format remains an unresolved problem. Choosing, structuring, formatting, and displaying information to allow easy access and to facilitate understanding are critical issues for effective design. To build an effective design that addresses complex information needs, one must look at research from psychology, sociology, human computer interaction, and technical communication, and develop a complete picture of the situation.

This book develops a foundation for analysis and design of the approaches to providing complex information in real-world situations. Author Michael Albers takes the view that the content of the information system is the most important component. As such, this volume presents the analysis that needs to be done before the interface is designed and before content is created. It strives to provide clear understanding of how the user thinks and what the user needs, so interface operation, content, and presentation can maximize their respective potentials in communicating with a user.

This volume is intended for technical communicators, human-computer interaction designers, and information designers. It will also be useful for system designers and researchers, and those studying adaptive hypertext and related topics.

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jack Repenning · Rating 3 out of 5]

You might call this "Tufte for the Web." Albers' subject is the clarity of point-and-click user interfaces. He describes it as specifically for the web, but it's somewhat broader than that: any forms-and-buttons, clicks-and-text UI has much the same issues and needs. Conversely, the book is just barely beginning to be dated, as it does not discuss the explosion of new interface idioms like pinch and touch. But the principles he intends to teach remain completely applicable and important: the purpose of the UI is to solve the user's problems, meet the user's needs. His discussions lead you to clearer thinking about how to empower the user, not just display your data.

[Mostafa Aboelneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

very useful book ... recommended