Information simplification and design for clarity of message. Student project, Emporia State University SLIM, LI819, Fall 2012

1. Information
Simplification
Mike Henderson
LI819XI
November 26, 2012

2. We will cover
1 concept,
1 website,

3. several examples,
and you have 2 tasks.

4. I will ask you to read
some words.

5. They are few and
simple.

6. First, think about it.

8. Haven’t the best
things in life also been
the simplest?

9. This is
me at 18 months…

10. With all my
usual baggage.

11. Dinner
Play
Play
Play
Bath
Sl
Sleep
Sl

12. Life was simple,
and life was fabulous.

13. Information
wants to be
presented…

14. …in the same
sunny simplicity
I’m enjoying.

15. And when I’m 52, I’ll
move to Manila and
take LI819 on the
internet…

16. So.
What is
this course
really about?

17. LI 819:
Information
Retrieval and Customization
(3 credit hours)
Introduction to advanced
online information retrieval strategies and the
design and creation of information products in a
variety of formats. Applies theories of information
transfer, user study, and information
services in information practice.
Prerequisite:
LI 813.

18. LI 819:
Information
Retrieval and Customization
(3 credit hours)
Introduction to advanced
online information retrieval strategies and the
design and creation of information products in a
variety of formats. Applies theories of nformation
transfer, user study, and information
services in information practice.
Prerequisite:
LI 813.

19. What are
these guys
trying to tell us?

22. Find information,
consider your audience,

23. and present it as
simply
as possible.

24. Some other guys
can help.

25. www.simplificationcentre.org.uk

26. They’re
British. They
spell funny.

28. Their blog
is especially good,

29. it features simple
design makeovers.

31. Which legal notice
would you
rather read?

33. Nobody likes to get
a photo-radar
parking ticket,

34. but which one is
simpler?

36. How about a
housing inspection
you can actually
understand?

38. What really
pisses them off
is British parking lot
signs.

39. Can you
blame
them?

41. Wait.
It gets worse.

43. Simple Actions are
clientless design
projects –

44. – volunteer designers
offering solutions to
whoever can use
them.

46. You can download
their technical reports
for free.

48. Are you ready
for your
2 tasks?

49. … just
kidding.

50. don’t worry,
they are
easy.

51. “This is
what you
shall do:”
Walt Whitman,
Preface to Leaves of Grass
(1855)

52. 1. On the Blog tab,
scroll down and click
on Entries (RSS)

55. You are now subscribed
to their blog.

56. 2. Follow them on
Twitter.

58. Good job!

59. Take
a few moments…

60. to keep up with
information
simplification.

61. Any darn fool can make
something complex; it
takes a genius to make
something simple.”
― Pete Seeger

62. Beauty is the
ultimate defense
against complexity.
- John Carmack

63. Go forth and
simplify!

65. Images
Shapeshifter3
toolbox-4-websites.com english.illinois.edu
bestflag.blogspot.com
poughkeepsiejournal.com
All screenshots:
simplificationcentre.org.uk
My Mom
All examples:
simplificationcentre.org.uk
barrenews.wordpress.
com/2010/05/05/
ramp.ie venturebeat.com/2012/
07/23/