Since its inception IIID has been increasing its activities aimed at promoting best practice in information design execution, delivery, utilization, teaching and research. This has been done through a number of mechanisms including facilitating an international information design networking structure, staging the major IIID Vision Plus international conferences, organizing special interest group meetings in the Expert Forum series, running workshop events, developing a student exchange scheme, leading European Union research projects, etc.
This range is now extended by the introduction of the IIID Inaugural Information Design Awards. I am very enthusiastic about this initiative and in my role as President I shall do all I can to support the successful launch and implementation of this new scheme. I encourage readers in the field to consider making submissions for these awards and additionally to urge other design practitioners to do likewise. Also, offers to sponsor future awards will be welcomed by the IIID Board from relevant organizations with an interest in some aspect of the broad field of information design.
Now, more than ever, in this increasingly complex world, there is a need for timely and accessible information presented in a pleasing manner that leads to effective and satisfying action. This is the work of information designers and the IIID Awards are aimed at raising awareness of this important field of endeavor and giving profile to excellent examples of information design production. I look forward to applauding to first winners.
Professor Clive Richards, IIID president
The world has dramatically changed in recent years mainly due to technology advancements. This has added to the complexity load and created a true global marketplace.†This global landscape consists of ever changing challenges and as a consequence, todays leading Information Designers have had to obtain both depth of skills and integrated approaches.†This has enabled them to be optimal at the leading edge of the innovation and†transformation equation. Their contribution has, in effect, created true positive†advances and outcomes impacting peoples lives.†We finally have an award (The IIID Award) that will not only†play the critical role of recognizing Information Designers who have made exceptional contributions to the field, but will also†inspire new patterns, ideas and practices as we keep moving forward.
Gordon Akwera, User experience and Information Design Consultant, Lab49 NYC, USA, IIID Board Member
When information is designed well, it goes unnoticed and enables people to do whatever they want to do. Poorly designed information leads to errors, delays, unnecessary additional costs, and frustration. Unfortunately, the consequences of poor information design are highly visible and attract a lot of attention. Ballot forms, instructions, medical inserts and bankstatements are examples of visual information that is more often the topic of condemnation than of jubilation. The IIID award will focus on information that is well designed and empowers people to understand, consider and act. At the same time, the award highlights the crucial role of frequently unnoticed visual information in a society.
Karel van der Waarde, Avans University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands, Van der Waarde Design†Research, Belgium, IIID Board Member
The IIID Awards recognize the benefit of information design and showcases the variety of ways that information design impacts our lives. The IIID Awards are an excellent way to heighten the visibility of the work of information designers and promote the value of their work in research and in addressing vital ñ and often critical ñ human needs worldwide.
Prof. Judith Moldenhauer, Wayne State University, USA