Project Development

Information design is a process that the designer uses to convey information to the intended audience. Good designers look at their products from the user’s point of view. Clear information design helps the user to:

- find a pathway to understanding
- own the information
- select the information that the user finds pertinent
- transform the data into meaningful information
- understand the meaning of the information

Characteristics of Instructional Design – from Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology – (Reiser & Dempsey, 2002, pp. 21-22)

Instructional design is learner-centered (The learner is the focal point)
Instructional design is goal-oriented (Well-defined goals are identified and are met)
Instructional design focuses on real-world performance (learners take the skills or information learned and can apply them to real-world situations)
Instructional design focuses on outcomes that can be measured in a reliable and valid way (The project accomplished what it is intended to do)
Instructional design is empirical (data is continually collected throughout the design process to ensure goals are being met)
Instructional design typically is a team effort (different people work on the individual stages of the project – examples include content writers, graphic artists, interface design experts, and usability testers)
These are essential considerations as you begin to articulate the audience, purposes, and goals for your project.

These next two sessions focus on the first two ADDIE components of design – determining our audience and designing the project to meet learner objectives. The elements of design are applicable to any format, whether it be online or “live.” Our readings and activities are focused on the beginning steps of the design process. As you sort through many ideas and possibilities for your prototype, identify who this project is for and what needs will be addressed through the user’s interaction with your project.