Data + Knowledge =
Information
While there
can never truly be one definition of information design, I feel that the theory
of sense-making provides a very good method to bring together all of the
information in the world and present it in a manner that people can understand.
Sense-making takes into consideration many factors that affect humans in their
interpretations of their world. Information has always existed, but as we have
evolved, we have found new ways to express and share information. The insights
that we gain as we contribute to and take from information are the very key to
our growth. Sense-making provides a way to bring together the order and chaos
in our lives, as we navigate through every bit of information thrown at us.
As a means to understand how information
has been treated through time, sense-making theorist Brenda Dervin uses eight narratives
that help to explain how we have grown with our use of information. These
narratives are: 1. Information describes an ordered reality. 2. Information
describes an ordered reality but can be “found” only by those with the proper
observing skills and technologies. 3. Information describes an ordered reality
that varies across time and space. 4. Information describes an ordered reality
that varies from culture to culture. 5. Information describes an ordered
reality that varies from person to person. 6. Information is an instrument of
power imposed in discourse on those without power. 7. Information imposes order
on a chaotic reality. 8. Information is
a tool designed by human beings to make sense of a reality assumed to be both
chaotic and orderly. These narratives are exactly why I am drawn to
sense-making as the methodology of information design. Dervin has considered
the changes within the world and within humans as they navigate through life.
We don’t look at information the way we used to, and now more than ever we have
large quantities of information coming at us on a daily basis. (Jacobson 37, 39)
As with all theories, sense-making
has pros and cons that effects its perception. The pros of sense-making lie in
its inherent ability to make an individual experience. The very essence of the theory
of sense-making is the connection between situation, gap, and outcome. These
three components present the problem with the questions behind it that in order
to reach a solution it utilizes a bridge to find the information necessary for
resolve. This bridge gathers information from others providing insight into how
to reach a particular outcome. This system works very well in many situations,
which makes its versatility with information so useful for people. The method
it uses for information accepts chaos and order as a part of reality and allows
people to have involvement in their observations. (Jacobson 40)
The cons of sense-making are largely
based on the fact that this theory requires the theorizing of concepts. People
must be able to look at the big picture and then break it down into smaller
sections as they strive to make that bridge necessary for information design
they understand. Because of the requirement to identify concepts, not everybody
will be able to use this methodology. From my own personal experience, I have
seen many people who don’t recognize or trust theory, but instead want concrete
ideas that will produce a given result. For these people, a different approach
to information design would be more suitable. (Jacobson 40)
Sense-making can be implemented in
the blog environment as a means of providing a bridge that is useful to gaining
insight into concepts about various issues presented by others. Since blogs can
include information about anything the blogger desires, they can offer an array
of useful information. The bridge they create can answer questions that can
assist others as they attempt to find an outcome. I am using sense-making in my
blog, as I provide information about information design in a manner that is
useful to those who question various aspects of the use of information design.
My blog combines the chaos within myself with the order of the written page to
present information that is designed to make sense.
Jacobson, Robert, ed. Information Design. Dervin, Brenda. Chaos, Order, and Sense-Making: A Proposed
Theory for Information Design. MIT Press. Massachusetts. 1999. Print.
Knowledge: http://www.inkingrey.com/uploads/images/1275669936-knowledge.jpg
Dervin's triangle example: http://communication.sbs.ohio-state.edu/sense-making/meet/meet_images/meet03romanellodervinfortner_fig1.gif
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