From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0001.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0002.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0001.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0003.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0002.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0001.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0004.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0004.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0002.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0002.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0001.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0005.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0005.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0003.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0003.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0002.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0001.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0006.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0006.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0004.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0004.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0004.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0002.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0007.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0007.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0005.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0005.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0005.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0003.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0008.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0008.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0006.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0006.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0006.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0004.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0009.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0009.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0007.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0007.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0007.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0005.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:28:38 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:28:38 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: Colleagues, I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available through the Internet. This amazing research resource is at: http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm VCU Libraries Digital Collections Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with information design, I think that we can learn a lot from him and others "information designers that do not call themselves information designers"... DO YOU AGREE? Jos? -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/2ca87741/attachment.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:37:30 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:37:30 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and Westendorp: OPEN HERE. 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > Colleagues, > > I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used > by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) > PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available > through the Internet. > This amazing research resource is at: > > http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm > VCU Libraries Digital Collections > > Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with > information design, > I think that we can learn a lot from him and others > "information designers that do not call themselves information > designers"... > > DO YOU AGREE? > > Jos? > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/abe6607f/attachment.htm From tori.egherman at gmail.com Thu Jul 17 12:32:07 2008 From: tori.egherman at gmail.com (Tori Egherman) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:32:07 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. Tori On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza wrote: > Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and > Westendorp: OPEN HERE. > > 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > >> Colleagues, >> >> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >> through the Internet. >> This amazing research resource is at: >> >> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >> >> >> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >> information design, >> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >> "information designers that do not call themselves information >> designers"... >> >> DO YOU AGREE? >> >> Jos? >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/a7109d89/attachment.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 16:15:48 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:15:48 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Tori, Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is fantastic). But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for information designers, they are: Comics and Sequential Art http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html and Graphic Storytelling http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html Jos? 2008/7/17 Tori Egherman : > Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished > Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. > > Tori > > > On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza < > marconi2006 at googlemail.com> wrote: > >> Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and >> Westendorp: OPEN HERE. >> >> 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : >> >>> Colleagues, >>> >>> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >>> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >>> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >>> through the Internet. >>> This amazing research resource is at: >>> >>> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >>> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >>> >>> >>> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >>> information design, >>> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >>> "information designers that do not call themselves information >>> designers"... >>> >>> DO YOU AGREE? >>> >>> Jos? >>> >>> -- >>> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >>> PhD Student >>> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >>> The University of Reading >>> >>> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >>> >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/447dbd99/attachment-0001.htm From jsokohl at mac.com Thu Jul 17 17:45:18 2008 From: jsokohl at mac.com (Joe) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:45:18 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: <69751C31-2FAF-49D7-9A4C-D17526F8F0E9@mac.com> And the great Kevin Cheng (co-creator of OK/Cancel http://www.ok-cancel.com/comic/1.html) is writing a book for Rosenfeld Media, See What I Mean: How to Use Comics to Communicate Ideas: http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com/announcements/2008/07/kevin_cheng_to_write_rosenfeld.php Should be great. joe Joe Sokohl joe at sokohl.com www.sokohl.com/ IM: joe at sokohl.com (MSM) ---------------------------- +1-804-873-6964 (mobile) From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 18:08:56 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:56 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) cheers Katherine p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant > for information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?? Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/fd73bb1a/attachment.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 18:32:42 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:32:42 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Katherine, As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of static information design direct eye movement." (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) These are the references: Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The Processing of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New York: Plenum. McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, Mass.: Kitchen Sink Press. 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > > Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online > (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) > > 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical > instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and > so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) > > cheers > Katherine > > > p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter > feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for > information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?(c) > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/96552441/attachment.htm From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 19:15:10 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:15:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, photographs, diagrams) I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's The Way Things Work! Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? K On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put > "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" > of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one > "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. > In The Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. > New York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. > Northampton, Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/9b64277b/attachment-0001.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 19:41:34 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:41:34 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Katherine, Horn's article is part of "Information Design" book edited by Robert Jacobson http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=4211&ttype=2 I rather like the classic (on my opinion): Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. But, he is rarely mentioned. A strong influence among Brazilians designers, is Wucius Wong's "Principles of Form and Design" http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Form-Design-Wucius-Wong/dp/0471285528 Congratulations for the PhD. I am nearly there too. Jos? 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting > to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on > models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this > encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating > two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he > proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, > photographs, diagrams) > > I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his > bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's > The Way Things Work! > > Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri > Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work > emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? > > K > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the > same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The > Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New > York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, > Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/eedc1414/attachment.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0010.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0010.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0008.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0008.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0008.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0006.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:28:38 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:28:38 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: Colleagues, I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available through the Internet. This amazing research resource is at: http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm VCU Libraries Digital Collections Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with information design, I think that we can learn a lot from him and others "information designers that do not call themselves information designers"... DO YOU AGREE? Jos? -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/2ca87741/attachment-0002.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:37:30 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:37:30 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and Westendorp: OPEN HERE. 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > Colleagues, > > I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used > by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) > PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available > through the Internet. > This amazing research resource is at: > > http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm > VCU Libraries Digital Collections > > Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with > information design, > I think that we can learn a lot from him and others > "information designers that do not call themselves information > designers"... > > DO YOU AGREE? > > Jos? > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/abe6607f/attachment-0002.htm From tori.egherman at gmail.com Thu Jul 17 12:32:07 2008 From: tori.egherman at gmail.com (Tori Egherman) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:32:07 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. Tori On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza wrote: > Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and > Westendorp: OPEN HERE. > > 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > >> Colleagues, >> >> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >> through the Internet. >> This amazing research resource is at: >> >> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >> >> >> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >> information design, >> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >> "information designers that do not call themselves information >> designers"... >> >> DO YOU AGREE? >> >> Jos? >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/a7109d89/attachment-0002.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 16:15:48 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:15:48 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Tori, Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is fantastic). But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for information designers, they are: Comics and Sequential Art http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html and Graphic Storytelling http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html Jos? 2008/7/17 Tori Egherman : > Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished > Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. > > Tori > > > On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza < > marconi2006 at googlemail.com> wrote: > >> Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and >> Westendorp: OPEN HERE. >> >> 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : >> >>> Colleagues, >>> >>> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >>> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >>> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >>> through the Internet. >>> This amazing research resource is at: >>> >>> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >>> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >>> >>> >>> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >>> information design, >>> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >>> "information designers that do not call themselves information >>> designers"... >>> >>> DO YOU AGREE? >>> >>> Jos? >>> >>> -- >>> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >>> PhD Student >>> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >>> The University of Reading >>> >>> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >>> >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/447dbd99/attachment-0002.htm From jsokohl at mac.com Thu Jul 17 17:45:18 2008 From: jsokohl at mac.com (Joe) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:45:18 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: <69751C31-2FAF-49D7-9A4C-D17526F8F0E9@mac.com> And the great Kevin Cheng (co-creator of OK/Cancel http://www.ok-cancel.com/comic/1.html) is writing a book for Rosenfeld Media, See What I Mean: How to Use Comics to Communicate Ideas: http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com/announcements/2008/07/kevin_cheng_to_write_rosenfeld.php Should be great. joe Joe Sokohl joe at sokohl.com www.sokohl.com/ IM: joe at sokohl.com (MSM) ---------------------------- +1-804-873-6964 (mobile) From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 18:08:56 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:56 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) cheers Katherine p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant > for information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?? Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/fd73bb1a/attachment-0002.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 18:32:42 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:32:42 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Katherine, As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of static information design direct eye movement." (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) These are the references: Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The Processing of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New York: Plenum. McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, Mass.: Kitchen Sink Press. 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > > Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online > (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) > > 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical > instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and > so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) > > cheers > Katherine > > > p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter > feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for > information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?(c) > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/96552441/attachment-0002.htm From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 19:15:10 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:15:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, photographs, diagrams) I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's The Way Things Work! Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? K On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put > "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" > of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one > "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. > In The Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. > New York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. > Northampton, Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/9b64277b/attachment-0002.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 19:41:34 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:41:34 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Katherine, Horn's article is part of "Information Design" book edited by Robert Jacobson http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=4211&ttype=2 I rather like the classic (on my opinion): Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. But, he is rarely mentioned. A strong influence among Brazilians designers, is Wucius Wong's "Principles of Form and Design" http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Form-Design-Wucius-Wong/dp/0471285528 Congratulations for the PhD. I am nearly there too. Jos? 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting > to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on > models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this > encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating > two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he > proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, > photographs, diagrams) > > I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his > bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's > The Way Things Work! > > Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri > Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work > emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? > > K > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the > same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The > Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New > York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, > Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/eedc1414/attachment-0001.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Fri Jul 18 16:10:10 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:10:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Empirical research and design of instructions Message-ID: Colleagues, Does anyone know when it was the first time that designers of instructions (not psychologists, educators or ergonomists) used data from empirical research to confirm that a certain type of design solution was better than the existing one? My "educated" guess is Will Burtin and L.P. Lessing. They suggested that highly illustrated printed instructions (designed by them during the Second World War) were more effective than instructional films versions. These instructions were targeted at "American high school boys" who needed to learn how to use aerial gunners in a very short period of time, and had difficulty to remember procedures conveyed through film. Do you know something else? Jos? Burtin, W., & Lessing, L. P. (1948). Interrelations. Graphis - The International Journal of Visual Communication, 4(22), 108-122. -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0011.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0011.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0009.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0009.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0009.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0007.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:28:38 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:28:38 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: Colleagues, I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available through the Internet. This amazing research resource is at: http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm VCU Libraries Digital Collections Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with information design, I think that we can learn a lot from him and others "information designers that do not call themselves information designers"... DO YOU AGREE? Jos? -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/2ca87741/attachment-0003.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:37:30 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:37:30 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and Westendorp: OPEN HERE. 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > Colleagues, > > I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used > by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) > PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available > through the Internet. > This amazing research resource is at: > > http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm > VCU Libraries Digital Collections > > Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with > information design, > I think that we can learn a lot from him and others > "information designers that do not call themselves information > designers"... > > DO YOU AGREE? > > Jos? > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/abe6607f/attachment-0003.htm From tori.egherman at gmail.com Thu Jul 17 12:32:07 2008 From: tori.egherman at gmail.com (Tori Egherman) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:32:07 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. Tori On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza wrote: > Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and > Westendorp: OPEN HERE. > > 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > >> Colleagues, >> >> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >> through the Internet. >> This amazing research resource is at: >> >> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >> >> >> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >> information design, >> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >> "information designers that do not call themselves information >> designers"... >> >> DO YOU AGREE? >> >> Jos? >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/a7109d89/attachment-0003.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 16:15:48 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:15:48 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Tori, Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is fantastic). But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for information designers, they are: Comics and Sequential Art http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html and Graphic Storytelling http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html Jos? 2008/7/17 Tori Egherman : > Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished > Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. > > Tori > > > On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza < > marconi2006 at googlemail.com> wrote: > >> Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and >> Westendorp: OPEN HERE. >> >> 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : >> >>> Colleagues, >>> >>> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >>> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >>> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >>> through the Internet. >>> This amazing research resource is at: >>> >>> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >>> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >>> >>> >>> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >>> information design, >>> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >>> "information designers that do not call themselves information >>> designers"... >>> >>> DO YOU AGREE? >>> >>> Jos? >>> >>> -- >>> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >>> PhD Student >>> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >>> The University of Reading >>> >>> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >>> >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/447dbd99/attachment-0003.htm From jsokohl at mac.com Thu Jul 17 17:45:18 2008 From: jsokohl at mac.com (Joe) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:45:18 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: <69751C31-2FAF-49D7-9A4C-D17526F8F0E9@mac.com> And the great Kevin Cheng (co-creator of OK/Cancel http://www.ok-cancel.com/comic/1.html) is writing a book for Rosenfeld Media, See What I Mean: How to Use Comics to Communicate Ideas: http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com/announcements/2008/07/kevin_cheng_to_write_rosenfeld.php Should be great. joe Joe Sokohl joe at sokohl.com www.sokohl.com/ IM: joe at sokohl.com (MSM) ---------------------------- +1-804-873-6964 (mobile) From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 18:08:56 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:56 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) cheers Katherine p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant > for information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?? Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/fd73bb1a/attachment-0003.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 18:32:42 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:32:42 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Katherine, As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of static information design direct eye movement." (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) These are the references: Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The Processing of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New York: Plenum. McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, Mass.: Kitchen Sink Press. 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > > Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online > (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) > > 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical > instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and > so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) > > cheers > Katherine > > > p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter > feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for > information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?(c) > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/96552441/attachment-0003.htm From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 19:15:10 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:15:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, photographs, diagrams) I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's The Way Things Work! Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? K On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put > "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" > of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one > "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. > In The Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. > New York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. > Northampton, Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/9b64277b/attachment-0003.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 19:41:34 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:41:34 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Katherine, Horn's article is part of "Information Design" book edited by Robert Jacobson http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=4211&ttype=2 I rather like the classic (on my opinion): Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. But, he is rarely mentioned. A strong influence among Brazilians designers, is Wucius Wong's "Principles of Form and Design" http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Form-Design-Wucius-Wong/dp/0471285528 Congratulations for the PhD. I am nearly there too. Jos? 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting > to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on > models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this > encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating > two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he > proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, > photographs, diagrams) > > I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his > bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's > The Way Things Work! > > Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri > Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work > emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? > > K > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the > same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The > Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New > York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, > Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/eedc1414/attachment-0002.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Fri Jul 18 16:10:10 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:10:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Empirical research and design of instructions Message-ID: Colleagues, Does anyone know when it was the first time that designers of instructions (not psychologists, educators or ergonomists) used data from empirical research to confirm that a certain type of design solution was better than the existing one? My "educated" guess is Will Burtin and L.P. Lessing. They suggested that highly illustrated printed instructions (designed by them during the Second World War) were more effective than instructional films versions. These instructions were targeted at "American high school boys" who needed to learn how to use aerial gunners in a very short period of time, and had difficulty to remember procedures conveyed through film. Do you know something else? Jos? Burtin, W., & Lessing, L. P. (1948). Interrelations. Graphis - The International Journal of Visual Communication, 4(22), 108-122. -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0012.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0012.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0010.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. So, to paraphrase, Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline * Yellow Room * 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/dfe4936c/attachment-0010.htm From mail at janeharper.com Fri Jul 11 23:28:08 2008 From: mail at janeharper.com (Jane Harper) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:28:08 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In an ideal world, all projects would probably have formal briefs. In my experience they are often informal ? a few notes or just a verbal understanding. However, on larger projects, or when working with a new client, I will often write one after meeting with the client, unless the client has supplied one (if they have I may well add to it). I think its something we aim for but don?t always achieve. Jane on 11/7/08 19:18, sawbridge at mac.com at sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes > a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a > document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else > seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client > brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long ? >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the ? >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the ? >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me ? >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple ? >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>> >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> ?http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:? >> ?infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> ?http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> ?http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> ?InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> > > > Caroline ? Yellow Room ??07834 317 352 > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/8ab934e2/attachment-0010.htm From d.sless at communication.org.au Mon Jul 14 03:51:36 2008 From: d.sless at communication.org.au (David Sless) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:51:36 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <2C19D6F9-8470-4E56-A205-31E04B96EE74@communication.org.au> On 12/07/2008, at 4:18 AM, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. > The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? Not quite. At CRI we have been investigating design methods for the last 23 years, some of that investigation is based on my own earlier work and that of others: Bruce Archer, Chermayeff and Alexander, Chris Jones , Horst Rittel, to mention just a few. Among the things we have investigated is the nature of client briefs and the relationship between these and design outcomes. The general finding from this is that the client brief has to go through a number of investigations and transformations before one gets to the point of having a description of the desired outcomes or performance requirements for a design. In other words a 'real' brief. Turning this into a practical method, this is what we call the Scoping stage, the outcome of which is as much a brief to the information designers as it is a statement of agreed contextual findings and outcomes for the client. Where these things are formalised contractually, we recommend that the client signs off on these before the next stage. In terms of effort, this stage can account for as much as 30% of the project budget, and involves something like 20 different types of investigation, each with findings that have a bearing on what 'brief' turns out to be. There are lots of case histories and accounts of this scoping investigation, as it relates to information design on our web site. There is also a vast body of work in Engineering, Product, and Environmental design which bears directly on this. One of the best known contemporary practitioners in this area is Liz Sanders. There is, of course, a separate question. How many information designers know about these methods, have been trained to apply them, and do so in professional practice? The answer to that is probably very few. But the methods exist and have been validated in many contexts, and in many areas of design. David blog: www.communication.org.au/dsblog web: http://www.communication.org.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080714/25188301/attachment-0008.htm From frascara at ualberta.ca Mon Jul 14 18:28:49 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:49 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: <20080714102849.8010067c3jic4czk@webmail.ualberta.ca> Dear Caroline, Well. I always work WITH the client and not FOR the client. So... This is the way things normally go: the clients tell me what they need. I talk with them. I get home and write something like: " On the basis of our conversation I understand..." and there I pass to list what I indicated before: what he will provide, what I will develop, what in the end he will get, when and how much is going to cost. I also ask for a confirmation or amendment. I tend to call it letter of agreement, but it becomes the document I refer to when I work. In some cases it becomes a formal contract with all kinds of other clauses depending on the standard procedures of the client. Cheers Jorge Quoting sawbridge at mac.com: > Jorge, > > Thank you. > > To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered > who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's > requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you > then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... > produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. > > Is this true? > > Caroline > MAID > University of Reading > > > > On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > >> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long >> meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the >> clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the >> client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me >> both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple >> it. >> >> Jorge Frascara >> >> -------------------- >> >> Quoting Ben Weiner : >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>>> May I be flippant? >>>> >>>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>>> >>>> >>> So, to paraphrase, >>>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>>>> >>> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall >>> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >>> apart from Caroline? >>> >>> Ben >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > Caroline o Yellow Room o 07834 317 352 > > > > From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:28:38 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:28:38 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: Colleagues, I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available through the Internet. This amazing research resource is at: http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm VCU Libraries Digital Collections Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with information design, I think that we can learn a lot from him and others "information designers that do not call themselves information designers"... DO YOU AGREE? Jos? -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/2ca87741/attachment-0004.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 11:37:30 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:37:30 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and Westendorp: OPEN HERE. 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > Colleagues, > > I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term used > by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) > PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available > through the Internet. > This amazing research resource is at: > > http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm > VCU Libraries Digital Collections > > Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with > information design, > I think that we can learn a lot from him and others > "information designers that do not call themselves information > designers"... > > DO YOU AGREE? > > Jos? > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/abe6607f/attachment-0004.htm From tori.egherman at gmail.com Thu Jul 17 12:32:07 2008 From: tori.egherman at gmail.com (Tori Egherman) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:32:07 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. Tori On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza wrote: > Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and > Westendorp: OPEN HERE. > > 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : > >> Colleagues, >> >> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >> through the Internet. >> This amazing research resource is at: >> >> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >> >> >> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >> information design, >> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >> "information designers that do not call themselves information >> designers"... >> >> DO YOU AGREE? >> >> Jos? >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > -- > Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza > PhD Student > Department of Typography & Graphic Communication > The University of Reading > > Member of the Society of Technical Communication > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/a7109d89/attachment-0004.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 16:15:48 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:15:48 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Tori, Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is fantastic). But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for information designers, they are: Comics and Sequential Art http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html and Graphic Storytelling http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html Jos? 2008/7/17 Tori Egherman : > Thanks for this link Jose. I am a huge Will Eisner fan. Just finished > Contract with God and To the Heart of the Storm, which were both amazing. > > Tori > > > On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Jose de Souza < > marconi2006 at googlemail.com> wrote: > >> Sorry, I forgot to mention the title of the book by Mijksenaar and >> Westendorp: OPEN HERE. >> >> 2008/7/17 Jose de Souza : >> >>> Colleagues, >>> >>> I am thrilled with the information that the "technical comics" (a term >>> used by Mijksenaar and Westendorp in the book 1999) >>> PS Magazine, designed by Will Eisner from 1952 - 1972, was made available >>> through the Internet. >>> This amazing research resource is at: >>> >>> http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm >>> VCU Libraries Digital Collections >>> >>> >>> Even though Will Eisner's work is not traditionally associated with >>> information design, >>> I think that we can learn a lot from him and others >>> "information designers that do not call themselves information >>> designers"... >>> >>> DO YOU AGREE? >>> >>> Jos? >>> >>> -- >>> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >>> PhD Student >>> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >>> The University of Reading >>> >>> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >>> >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >>> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >>> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >>> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >>> >>> For all Information Design matters: >>> http://InformationDesign.org >>> >>> Problems? Write to: >>> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza >> PhD Student >> Department of Typography & Graphic Communication >> The University of Reading >> >> Member of the Society of Technical Communication >> >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/447dbd99/attachment-0004.htm From jsokohl at mac.com Thu Jul 17 17:45:18 2008 From: jsokohl at mac.com (Joe) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:45:18 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" Message-ID: <69751C31-2FAF-49D7-9A4C-D17526F8F0E9@mac.com> And the great Kevin Cheng (co-creator of OK/Cancel http://www.ok-cancel.com/comic/1.html) is writing a book for Rosenfeld Media, See What I Mean: How to Use Comics to Communicate Ideas: http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com/announcements/2008/07/kevin_cheng_to_write_rosenfeld.php Should be great. joe Joe Sokohl joe at sokohl.com www.sokohl.com/ IM: joe at sokohl.com (MSM) ---------------------------- +1-804-873-6964 (mobile) From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 18:08:56 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:56 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) cheers Katherine p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant > for information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?? Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/fd73bb1a/attachment-0004.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 18:32:42 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:32:42 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Katherine, As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of static information design direct eye movement." (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) These are the references: Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The Processing of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New York: Plenum. McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, Mass.: Kitchen Sink Press. 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > > Thanks for that link! its great to see this extensive collection online > (only gripe is that it would be nice to see all the pages as spreads!) > > 'Comics and sequential art' ends with a section that includes 'Technical > instruction comics' and 'Attitudinal instruction comics' -- so relevant, and > so refreshingly different in its perspective (attitudinal instruction??) > > cheers > Katherine > > > p.s. i think this will go on the Information Design Association twitter > feed! if anyone on this list twitters, our handle is > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 15:15, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Tori, > > Like you, I really like Eisner's graphic novels ("The Building" is > fantastic). > But, as you might know, his non-fictional books are more relevant for > information designers, they are: > > Comics and Sequential Art > http://www.willeisner.com/books/comics_sequential_art.html > > and > > Graphic Storytelling > http://www.willeisner.com/books/graphic_storytelling.html > > > Jos?(c) > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/96552441/attachment-0004.htm From katherine at echae.com Thu Jul 17 19:15:10 2008 From: katherine at echae.com (Katherine Gillieson) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:15:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Jos?, Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, photographs, diagrams) I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's The Way Things Work! Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? K On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put > "around the same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" > of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one > "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. > In The Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. > New York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. > Northampton, Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > Katherine Gillieson www.115.org.uk www.rdg.ac.uk/typography -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/9b64277b/attachment-0004.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Thu Jul 17 19:41:34 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:41:34 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Will Eisner's "technical comics" In-Reply-To: References: <5da377f40807170332j4b5bc276t2ef2c9a12f64d144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Katherine, Horn's article is part of "Information Design" book edited by Robert Jacobson http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=4211&ttype=2 I rather like the classic (on my opinion): Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. But, he is rarely mentioned. A strong influence among Brazilians designers, is Wucius Wong's "Principles of Form and Design" http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Form-Design-Wucius-Wong/dp/0471285528 Congratulations for the PhD. I am nearly there too. Jos? 2008/7/17 Katherine Gillieson : > Hi Jos?, > Actually I'm familiar with those, but thanks anyway! Aware that I'm posting > to a list, just to say that my recently/almost completed PhD focusses on > models for graphic description (specifically for book design, but this > encompasses many levels and dimensions of analysis). I ended up integrating > two of Twyman's schemas into my own framework; the 1979 one, and the one he > proposes in an article of 1985 for pictorial forms (illustrations, > photographs, diagrams) > > I hadn't read the Horn article though, what year was it published? his > bibliography reads eerily like a chunk of mine -- right down to Macauley's > The Way Things Work! > > Gotta mention another compendium (another big round table?): Yuri > Engelhardt's PhD thesis 'The Language of Graphics' (2002), though his work > emphasizes models for diagrams and maps, he includes Eisner and McCloud? > > K > > > On 17 Jul 2008, at 17:32, Jose de Souza wrote: > > Hi Katherine, > > > As far as I know, Robert E. Horn was one the first one to put "around the > same table" the following "Systematizers and Analysts" of graphic language: > > "Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (1993) and Will Eisner's > Comics and Sequential Art (1985) are excellent analyses of one "dialect" of > visual language, the comic book. William Bowman (1968) produced an > important early taxonomy of graphic communication, while Michael > Twyman (1973) has provided an important analysis of how many types of > static information design direct eye movement." > (Information Design: Emergence of a New Profession, p. 19) > > These are the references: > > Bowman, William J. 1968. Graphic Communication. New York John Wiley. > > Twyman, Michael A. 1979. Schema for the Study of Graphic Language. In The > Processing > of Visible Language P. A. Kolers, M. E. Wrolstad, and H. Bouma, eds. New > York: Plenum. > > McCloud, Scott. 1993. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Northampton, > Mass.: > Kitchen Sink Press. > > > > > Katherine Gillieson > www.115.org.uk > www.rdg.ac.uk/typography > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080717/eedc1414/attachment-0003.htm From marconi2006 at googlemail.com Fri Jul 18 16:10:10 2008 From: marconi2006 at googlemail.com (Jose de Souza) Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:10:10 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Empirical research and design of instructions Message-ID: Colleagues, Does anyone know when it was the first time that designers of instructions (not psychologists, educators or ergonomists) used data from empirical research to confirm that a certain type of design solution was better than the existing one? My "educated" guess is Will Burtin and L.P. Lessing. They suggested that highly illustrated printed instructions (designed by them during the Second World War) were more effective than instructional films versions. These instructions were targeted at "American high school boys" who needed to learn how to use aerial gunners in a very short period of time, and had difficulty to remember procedures conveyed through film. Do you know something else? Jos? Burtin, W., & Lessing, L. P. (1948). Interrelations. Graphis - The International Journal of Visual Communication, 4(22), 108-122. -- Jos? Marconi Bezerra de Souza PhD Student Department of Typography & Graphic Communication The University of Reading Member of the Society of Technical Communication From sawbridge at mac.com Wed Jul 2 18:31:54 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:31:54 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs Message-ID: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading From wongword at ozemail.com.au Tue Jul 8 12:58:24 2008 From: wongword at ozemail.com.au (wongword at ozemail.com.au) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:58:24 +1000 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <006701c8e0e9$8bad6ea0$343aaa7c@user761e6bd329> Caroline In the way we work in projects the brief would be a document that is from the suite of project planning documents. It could be the Business Case or other pro forma product documentation. Irene Wong Publishing Manager ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:31 AM Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may not be what you use for this. May I ask: In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? What is the most important element in a brief? Who writes the brief? Do you follow a particular format? Does that format change dependent on the client? Do you always use a brief? Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. Caroline Sawbridge MAID University of Reading ___________________________________________________________________ Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe For all Information Design matters: http://InformationDesign.org Problems? Write to: InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org ___________________________________________________________________ From W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 8 13:13:33 2008 From: W.Stahl-Timmins at exeter.ac.uk (Will Stahl-Timmins) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:13:33 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> Message-ID: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> May I be flippant? I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes what it is that a client thinks that they want. Will. ............................................... Will Stahl-Timmins PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. www.pms.ac.uk/infographics www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief > in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a > summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may > not be what you use for this. May I ask: > > In the context of your work, what does ?the brief? mean to you? > What is the most important element in a brief? > Who writes the brief? > Do you follow a particular format? > Does that format change dependent on the client? > Do you always use a brief? > Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? > > I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. > > Caroline Sawbridge > MAID > University of Reading > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ From david.farbey at googlemail.com Tue Jul 8 14:11:20 2008 From: david.farbey at googlemail.com (David Farbey) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:11:20 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <2682824a0807080511s18690700qc6945023de4157c5@mail.gmail.com> Flippant? Sounds pretty accurate to me :-) David 2008/7/8 Will Stahl-Timmins : > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > Will. > > > > ............................................... > > Will Stahl-Timmins > PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment. > > www.pms.ac.uk/infographics > www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/ > > > On 2 Jul 2008, at 17:31, sawbridge at mac.com wrote: > >> I am writing my dissertation on the subject of the role of the brief >> in information design. By 'the brief' I mean the document that is a >> summary of a problem(s) to be solved and acted upon but this term may >> not be what you use for this. May I ask: >> >> In the context of your work, what does 'the brief' mean to you? >> What is the most important element in a brief? >> Who writes the brief? >> Do you follow a particular format? >> Does that format change dependent on the client? >> Do you always use a brief? >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> >> I would be very interested to have your opinions on this subject. >> >> Caroline Sawbridge >> MAID >> University of Reading >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > -- David Farbey - david at farbey.co.uk Technical Communication and Information Design Authorised Reseller for DITA Exchange Mobile 07879-005-946 Business 0844 561 0742 Web site Blog LinkedIn profile From digitas at panix.com Tue Jul 8 15:42:48 2008 From: digitas at panix.com (Randal) Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:42:48 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: At 12:13 PM +0100 7/8/08, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. > The smart consultant helps the client create a brief that defines needs for exactly what the consultant would give the client anyway. Along the lines of "if you have a hammer, all problems look like a nail," or: "To address the client's security needs, we will implement a highly advanced ferrous attachment system utilizing state-of-the-art digitally operated ballistic impeller devices." -- Randal From ben at readingtype.org.uk Tue Jul 8 15:50:11 2008 From: ben at readingtype.org.uk (Ben Weiner) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:50:11 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Hi, Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: > May I be flippant? > > I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper > that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes > what it is that a client thinks that they want. > > So, to paraphrase, >> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom apart from Caroline? Ben From frascara at ualberta.ca Tue Jul 8 16:21:59 2008 From: frascara at ualberta.ca (frascara at ualberta.ca) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:21:59 -0600 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> Message-ID: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple it. Jorge Frascara -------------------- Quoting Ben Weiner : > Hi, > > Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >> May I be flippant? >> >> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >> >> > So, to paraphrase, >>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or job? >>> > When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the overall > process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom > apart from Caroline? > > Ben > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ > > From brigit at byteryte.nl Tue Jul 8 16:45:59 2008 From: brigit at byteryte.nl (Brigit van Loggem) Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:59 +0200 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> Message-ID: <200807081450.m68EohKe037260@smtp-vbr9.xs4all.nl> At 13:13 8-7-2008, Will wrote: >I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >what it is that a client thinks that they want. Ahhh... yes... but how if we were to put time and effort into describing what we and the client together feel will really meet underlying requirements? Rather than faithfully writing down the client's uninformed and uneducated ideas? Flippantly yours, -Brigit ============================================ www.byteryte.nl View my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitvanloggem or see who we know in common at www.linkedin.com/e/wwk/24120274/ From katie at raincharm.co.uk Wed Jul 9 13:24:21 2008 From: katie at raincharm.co.uk (Raincharm Communications Limited) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:24:21 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: invitation to conference workshop - please circulate to members Message-ID: <6A4F9600AC954163BF5721C9C870E06C@KatiePC> DESIGN TO READ - Designing for people who do not read easily > A workshop at HCI 2008, Liverpool John Moores University, 2 September > 2008 > > POSITION PAPERS DUE Friday 11 July 2008 > > Workshop website > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ > > ............................................................................................................................................... > > Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. We learn at school, > practice as adolescents and perfect (or so we hope) the ability as > adults. It is something many of us do not even consider as a conscious > activity. > > Many people do not read easily. This might be because of an impairment > or disability, poor access to literacy or because English is not their > first language. In addition to reading the text itself, there are > often other barriers or obstructions to reading, often because of poor > design, layout and use of language. > This workshop introduces several ideas and approaches to understanding > why this is so, and will seek to find solutions to improve the > readability of information in a variety of formats including on computer > systems such as public information systems like e-government and e-social service systems. > The session will be interactive,engaging and informative encouraging > participants to share expertise and knowledge in a variety of 'try it > now' settings. In addition to exploring the reasons why some people do not > read easily, we will actively encourage attendees to question their own > approach to reading and how adaptations or >adjustments can be made to > improve accessibility for all. > >The workshop aims to be initial and exploratory, appealing to a range > of academics, researchers and design practitioners who not only want > to share knowledge and experience but ultimately have the goal of > improving the lives of all those who do not read easily. > > TO PARTICIPATE, send your position papers to: Caroline Jarrett > (caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk) > > POSITION PAPER FORMAT : pls visit workshop web page to download paper > format. > > KEY DATES > Position Paper Submission Deadline: Friday 11 July 2008 > Notification of acceptance and comments: Monday 21 July 2008 > Submission of camera-ready copy: 28 July 2008 > Workshop start: Tuesday 2 Sept 2008 > > WORKSHOP WEBSITE > http://www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/research/idc/designtoread/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/01488624/attachment-0013.htm From t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk Wed Jul 9 21:38:35 2008 From: t.cole at tamasincole.co.uk (Tamasin Cole) Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:38:35 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: Briefs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Oh, briefs! For my clients, variously: copy, quite often incredibly long, and un-proof-read "we want one like this, but..." a carefully prepared Word document which takes two hours to disentangle and the pics are all 72dpi lo-res jpegs an email with descriptions of content but no actual content and on... For me, the result of conversation(s) which establish, not necessarily all at the same time: what it's for who it's for how it may be used how much money there is how many are needed what politics may or may not be involved what images may or may not be available what the copy is, or better, what it should include when it needs to be delivered who needs to approve it what logos need to be on it and on... I've been planning a booklet with suggestions on how to brief for ages. I might do it. I could call it "Pants", perhaps... Tamasin ____________________ tamasincole.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080709/57291dcd/attachment-0013.htm From sawbridge at mac.com Fri Jul 11 20:18:39 2008 From: sawbridge at mac.com (sawbridge at mac.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:18:39 +0100 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com> <994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk> <48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk> <20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: > For me the brief is fundamental. It is begun by myself, after a long > meeting with the client and a couple of drafts. It states what the > clients wants, what I promise to do, when I promise to do it, what the > client's obligations are, and what are my deliverables. It is for me > both my promise and my defense. I never lose it or stain it or crumple > it. > > Jorge Frascara > > -------------------- > > Quoting Ben Weiner : > >> Hi, >> >> Will Stahl-Timmins wrote: >>> May I be flippant? >>> >>> I'd say that, from my observations, the brief is that bit of paper >>> that normally gets crumpled, stained and then lost, which describes >>> what it is that a client thinks that they want. >>> >>> >> So, to paraphrase, >>>> Where does the brief come in the overall process of a project or >>>> job? >>>> >> When does the brief get crumpled, stained and then lost in the >> overall >> process of a project or job? Is its loss mourned, and if so by whom >> apart from Caroline? >> >> Ben >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: >> infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: >> http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe >> >> For all Information Design matters: >> http://InformationDesign.org >> >> Problems? Write to: >> InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org >> ___________________________________________________________________ >> >> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ > > Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: > infodesign-cafe at list.informationdesign.org > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit: > http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe > > For all Information Design matters: > http://InformationDesign.org > > Problems? Write to: > InfoDesign-Cafe-Admin at list.InformationDesign.org > ___________________________________________________________________ Caroline ? Yellow Room ? 07834 317 352 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.webtic.nl/pipermail/infodesign-cafe/attachments/20080711/da43e658/attachment-0011.htm From RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com Fri Jul 11 20:26:42 2008 From: RLinsky at ArtPlusTechnology.com (Robert Linsky) Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:26:42 -0400 Subject: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential In-Reply-To: References: <3E217674-56D0-41E8-A688-97E80243341F@mac.com><994CC646-AB67-48A4-B727-135B336DA542@exeter.ac.uk><48737093.6020804@readingtype.org.uk><20080708082159.3slr5e5pycssck40@webmail.ualberta.ca> Message-ID: Caroline - As an information designer, I do what Jorge does, but do not call it a brief. For us it is a combination of documents - an SOW and a project plan. Both are done with client input and agreement. In working through the project, our project manager works with the client project manager to keep the project to the plan and insure deliverables. Robert. ________________________________ From: infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org [mailto:infodesign-cafe-bounces at list.informationdesign.org] On Behalf Of sawbridge at mac.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:19 PM To: Discussions about information design Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: The brief is essential Jorge, Thank you. To date, you are the only 'information designer' I have encountered who writes a brief, in the sense that you transform the client's requirements into a document you are calling 'the brief' that you then refer to. Everyone else seems to write proposals and then... produce the work. The brief means 'client brief' only. Is this true? Caroline MAID University of Reading On 8 Jul 2008, at 15:21, frascara at ualberta.ca wrote: For me