Methods used to Convey Information

Text: one of the most common 'representation methods' used to communicate information.
1. User manual for new software
2. Email to arrange a party
3. Letter to customer confirming delivery date
4. Pro's
  1. Easy to understand
    1. Most familiar and comfortable with reading
      1. If printed, no special equipment needed to access
        Variety of contexts i.e. books, posters, websites
5. Con's
  1. Difficult to read and process at speed
    1. Don't understand language
      1. Blind/visual impaired cannot access information
        Poor font size/style make text difficult to read
Pictures/ Images: used to convey many different types of information.
1. Symbols - traffic and safety signs
2. Charts and graphs
3. Floor plans
4. Pro's
  1. Convey info quickly
    1. Understand no matter what language
      1. Help support/ extra impact
        Easy to see from a distance
5. Con's
  1. Don't know what it means it's not effective
    1. Colour blindness - difficult to decipher
      1. Poor quality/ fuzzy images
Sound: one of the most common, used in different ways.
1. Spoken voice
2. Alarms and alerts
3. Pro's
  1. Can convey information to people with poor literacy skills
  2. Large amount fairly quickly
  3. Many people at once
  4. Don't need to see someone to hear them
4. Con's
  1. Strong accents make it difficult
  2. Understand language
  3. Poor hearing
  4. Too much background noise
Videos: information being shown as a moving image. Online - need the right media player. Offline - DVD player.
1. Tutorials
2. Podcasts
3. Pro's
  1. Used for training - watch skill and learn
  2. A lot of information in short time
  3. Stopped, started, replayed over again
  4. Costs nothing or very little
4. Con's
  1. Viewing online, need internet connection (fast)
  2. Need equipment i.e. computer
  3. Visual/sound quality may be poor
  4. Risk of virus or malware
Animation: before video came along, this was the only way to provide the illusion of movement.
1. Animated gifs
2. 3D constructions
3. Pro's
  1. Can be custom made for a company to convey a particular message
    1. Good for catching peoples attention quickly
      1. Can convey information in a fun, lighthearted way
4. Con's
  1. Can be expensive and time-consuming to produce
    1. Need specialist software and skills
      1. Can distract users from key information and annoying
LEDs: Light Emitting Diode lights up in a pure, bright colour when switched on.
1. On/off - computer monitors, kettles
2. Combined LED lights to form visual display - 'STOP' on DVD player
3. Pro's
  1. Conveys simple information
  2. Inexpensive method
  3. Long-life
  4. Light up very quickly
4. Con's
  1. Need to understand what the light represents
  2. Imparts limited information
  3. Visual impairment

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Methods used to Convey Information

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	Created by charcrawford about 11 years ago