Methods used to Convey Information

Methods used to Convey Information

1. Text: one of the most common 'representation methods' used to communicate information.

   • User manual for new software
   • Email to arrange a party
   • Letter to customer confirming delivery date
   • Pro's
     • Easy to understand
       • Most familiar and comfortable with reading
         • If printed, no special equipment needed to access
           • Variety of contexts i.e. books, posters, websites
   • Con's
     • Difficult to read and process at speed
       • Don't understand language
         • Blind/visual impaired cannot access information
           • Poor font size/style make text difficult to read

2. Pictures/ Images: used to convey many different types of information.

   • Symbols - traffic and safety signs
   • Charts and graphs
   • Floor plans
   • Pro's
     • Convey info quickly
       • Understand no matter what language
         • Help support/ extra impact
           • Easy to see from a distance
   • Con's
     • Don't know what it means it's not effective
       • Colour blindness - difficult to decipher
         • Poor quality/ fuzzy images

3. Sound: one of the most common, used in different ways.

   • Spoken voice
   • Alarms and alerts
   • Pro's
     • Can convey information to people with poor literacy skills
     • Large amount fairly quickly
     • Many people at once
     • Don't need to see someone to hear them
   • Con's
     • Strong accents make it difficult
     • Understand language
     • Poor hearing
     • Too much background noise

4. Videos: information being shown as a moving image. Online - need the right media player. Offline - DVD player.

   • Tutorials
   • Podcasts
   • Pro's
     • Used for training - watch skill and learn
     • A lot of information in short time
     • Stopped, started, replayed over again
     • Costs nothing or very little
   • Con's
     • Viewing online, need internet connection (fast)
     • Need equipment i.e. computer
     • Visual/sound quality may be poor
     • Risk of virus or malware

5. Animation: before video came along, this was the only way to provide the illusion of movement.

   • Animated gifs
   • 3D constructions
   • Pro's
     • Can be custom made for a company to convey a particular message
       • Good for catching peoples attention quickly
         • Can convey information in a fun, lighthearted way
   • Con's
     • Can be expensive and time-consuming to produce
       • Need specialist software and skills
         • Can distract users from key information and annoying

6. LEDs: Light Emitting Diode lights up in a pure, bright colour when switched on.

   • On/off - computer monitors, kettles
   • Combined LED lights to form visual display - 'STOP' on DVD player
   • Pro's
     • Conveys simple information
     • Inexpensive method
     • Long-life
     • Light up very quickly
   • Con's
     • Need to understand what the light represents
     • Imparts limited information
     • Visual impairment