Interesting stuff everyone!
I suppose that, in the end, the question that I originally asked is
pretty meaningless, as a lot depends on what you test or evaluate, how
you do it, and so on.
However, it's interesting that Chris Rust mentioned David Sless. The
discussion here has put me in mind of an example in a paper he's just
published in the Information Design Journal:
D. Sless. Measuring information design. Information Design Journal 16
(3):250-258, 2008.
He mentions that he's been trying to improve the presentation of
government documents, if I recall correctly (I don't have the article
here). In the past, the guidelines for these have been very
prescriptive (specifying type size and face, where to use font weights
and so on). His argument is that instead testing how effectively the
documents impart their information (and I must find out how he does
this) is far more beneficial. It means that the designer again has
control over how to use type. Isn't this an instance of the use of
testing increasing creative control?
Of course, you have to have a pretty ridiculous situation in the first
place for this to make any sense, and it could be argued that removing
the testing would increase creative control MORE. I guess keeping the
balance between creative control and testing is the important thing.
We do sometimes need to shout about the benefits of design though. Not
everyone appreciates it otherwise...
Will.
...............................................
Will Stahl-Timmins B.A., M.A.
PhD Researcher: Information Graphics in Health Technology Assessment.
www.pms.ac.uk/infographics/
www.pms.ac.uk/pentag/
www.willstahl.com
PenTAG
Noy Scott House
Peninsula Medical School
RD&E Hospital (Wonford)
Heavitree
Exeter
EX2 5DW
UK
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