Information Design of a Pocket Dictionary

English 392ANancy Collins

Excerpt from pocket dictionary

-An idea-based document

-Rules of inclusion and exclusion

-Inherent need for appropriate design

Audience

-Students or other people looking for a quick and simple definition

-NOT designed for ESL students or those seeking detailed definitions or background information

Purpose

-To provide simple, clear and easily accessible definitions

-To help with spelling, pronunciation and usage

Context

-Physical document with high user awareness and low task-immediacy

-Portable, fits into any bag

-Paperback, cheap paper quality

-Booky smell

Rules of Inclusion & Exclusion

-Dictionaries are biased

-This dictionary accommodates audience, purpose, and context by:

-using current & core vocabulary-focusing on central meanings-avoiding technical language-providing additional information:

word builder, usage notes (potential noise?)

How is this document used?

-Searched & scanned and then read

-Use directly impacts design

Dictionary Conventions

-Alphabetical order

-Page indexes

-Consistency of entry structure

Information Design

GROUPING

-Proximity

-Size

-Bolding

-Numbering

-Use of lines and boxes

Information Design

TYPOGRAPHY

-Contrast between typefaces

-Headwords are sans-serif and bolded; definitions are serif and normal

Information Design

SPACE

-Left justified

-Definitions indented from headwords

-Separate lines for separate things

Information Design

GRIDS

-2 column grid

-Allows for faster scanning