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Recommended Reading List

10 Favorites for InfoDev Pros

Information development is about taking an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach to content-based communications. It’s also about making content-related decisions that benefit both end users and organizations. This list brings together some of the best publications to help you create content that really works!

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Science-Based Content Design©

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Tina M. Kister
April 4, 2022

Books

Resources for Success

Interdisciplinary resources to help you deliver user-centric content that works!

This recommended reading list reflects the interdisciplinary nature of information development, and allows you to learn from experts working in a wide range of fields, genres, and media. It encourages you to expand your horizons and to synthesize knowledge about content-based communications from areas such as business development, presentation design, user-interface design, and more.

1

Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Guidelines

by Jeff Johnson

Johnson provides enough background in perceptual and cognitive processes that design guidelines make intuitive sense, rather than being just a list of arbitrary rules to follow. While the title of the book refers to user-interface design, the principles and concepts are relevant for all types of information development, regardless of media.

2

Introduction to Information Visualization

by Riccardo Mazza

This tiny little book packs a powerful punch, and provides great insight into the science behind visual information processing. It also provides several visualization examples. While focused on presenting complex data, the principles and practices discussed in the book can be extended to any type of information.

3

slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations

by Nancy Duarte

Duarte provides beautiful examples with easy-to-follow explanations. This is an excellent introduction to visualizing information, with a focus on how to engage and persuade through imagery and storytelling. This is a very handy book to have around when coming up with ideas for visually presenting abstract concepts.

4

The Non-Designerā€™s Design Book: Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice

by Robin Williams

This is an excellent introduction to design basics with lots of examples and easy-to-follow explanations. Williams provides specific guidance with an emphasis on cultivating awareness and designing with intent. While it takes a more traditional approach (rather than a science-based approach), this book provides a strong foundation for getting started.

5

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People

by Susan Weinschenk

This nifty little book is packed full of information about how people perceive and process information, and how that influences behavior. A great introduction to the link between perception, cognition, and design.

6

Developing Quality Technical Information: A Handbook for Writers and Editors

by Michelle Carey, Ann Kilty Hernandez, Polly Hughes, Deirdre Longo, Shannon Rouiller, Elizabeth Wilde, and Gretchen Hargis

This is an excellent comprehensive writing style guide that covers specific conventions often overlooked in other writing reference books. While the title refers to ā€œtechnical information,ā€ the guidelines are relevant to all types of business writing. The authors translate abstract writing concepts into specific, actionable guidelines.

7

Content Strategy: Connecting the Dots Between Business, Brand, and Benefits

by Rahel Anne Bailie and Noz Urbina

An excellent book for a big-picture perspective on creating information deliverables in ways that are sustainable, scalable, and user-focused. If you want to become an InfoDev Pro, this book provides essential information about taking an integrated approach that makes sense for both your organization and your end users.

8

Information Development: Managing Your Documentation Projects, Portfolio, and People

by JoAnne T. Hackos

An important and vital book for any information developer because it provides both a general framework and specific criteria for understanding and improving content operations. This book includes Hackosā€™s Information Process Maturity Model, which invaluable in diagnosing organizational and procedural issues and in setting specific goals for change. This book is a must-read for anyone with decision-making responsibilities in a content-focused environment.

9

A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to Building a Great Business

by Ari Weinzweig

This is not your typical business book. Itā€™s personal, irreverent, and self-deprecating. Itā€™s an absolutely visionary book about making business decisions that are rooted in a desire for quality and excellence, rather than continuous growth and endless profit. Surprisingly, this book, which is about business success in general, includes stories that show how business success is directly linked to best practices in business communications.

10

Information Visualization: Perception for Design

by Colin Ware

If you want to take a deep dive into the link between perception and design, this is the book. Comprehensive and detailed, this book may be the ā€œbibleā€ of science-based design. Excellent for learning and discovery, as well as for referencing during daily work.

Contents

Metadata
Program
InfoDev Academy
Series
Information Development
Subject
Keywords
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