InfoDev Academy

Bringing People Together Around Content as a Tool for Success

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

It's free! 😀

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Time is running out to become a Founding Member!

InfoDev Insiders is a safe place for information developers to network, commiserate, laugh, and learn.

Learn More: https://t.co/uZEq01tMxZ

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

The InfoDev Academy's community for content professionals is now open! Sign up before October 1, 2022 to become a Founding Member. (It's free!)

https://t.co/uZEq01teIr

@ContentWrangler @scottabel

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Join @scottabel and @tmkister for an open-house peek into the InfoDev Academy, an online community and learning platform for content professionals.

Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Time: 11:00 am EDT

Register on BrightTalk: https://t.co/LfJAGgpo3Q

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

@nozurbina Isn't this the way that the algorithms work for all major online venues? One reason I'm not in love with the whole idea of "personalization."

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Join us for our first workshop "How to Choose Fonts" on August 23, 2002 at 1pm EST.

We'll be taking a science-based approach and following a clear, step-by-step process not found anywhere else!

https://t.co/8ReOLMaalT

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Come Join Us!

The InfoDev Academy's online community for content professionals is now open!

InfoDev Insiders is a safe space for content professionals to network, share resources, teach, and learn.

https://t.co/uZEq01teIr

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

...the missing area below the line by "filling in" the missing visual stimuli.

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

I agree that the key lies in saliency, which is closely related to what others have said about figure-ground, area, squinting, etc. The entire human perception system is designed to perceive and assign meaning to DEGREES OF DIFFERENCE between stimuli.

[Enrico Bertini @FILWD]

What explains that area charts are easier to read than line charts in a configuration like the one below? Or maybe it's just my impression? (cc @SteveFranconeri @sharoz)

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

The filled-in charts create a greater degree of difference between "what is" (below the line) and "what isn't" (above the line). In the line charts, we have to use more cognitive resources to assign meaning to the area below the line.

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

...line-only chart forces our perceptual systems to: 1) Perceive the line, 2) Assign differential meaning to the areas above and below the line, 3) Focus our attention on the area below the line, 4) Imagine the quantity represented by...

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

The line is present in both types, but the filled-in chart allows us to immediately perceive and assign and categorize the area below the line as "what is," while the...

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Woohoo! So excited to see the release of Intercom magazine's special issue on Science-Based Content Design, guest edited by @scottabel and me!
https://t.co/eCRQmdH3yA

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

When applying science-based design to complex content, it's important to make design choices that direct the user’s attention quickly and naturally in order to minimize perceptual load so that users can process information quickly and accurately.

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Science-Based Design: Perceptual Load

Perceptual load refers to the amount of stress placed on our ability to process visual stimuli given a perceptual task.

#infodevpro #nanatoo #technicalcommunication #contentdevelopment #semanticdesign

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Perceptual load is measured by how quickly and how accurately users can identify specific visual stimuli, as well as by the degree of brain activation. In the example on the left, you don’t even need to be given a task in order for the salient letter to attract your attention.

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

This is really cool, and happening right here in central Florida! A DNA-sequencing company has developed high-volume COVID-19 testing that doesn't require specialized equipment, and allows people to stay at home.

https://t.co/qoHi7PAUGn

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

I just thought I'd share in case you have been looking for an affordable, versatile, and easy way to enhance your content.

If you'd like to see a list of tools that I recommend (with affiliate links), you can check out my Tools of the Trade list:
https://t.co/5SkE6ZQgjK

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

Free Trial for Snagit

Snagit is an amazing tool, especially given its price (a one-time fee of $49.99). It's designed specifically to make it super easy to create how-to and instructional content.

https://t.co/sfpSDCb1Xu

#informationdesign #technicalcommunication #nanatoo

[InfoDev Academy @InfoDevAcademy]

NOTE: While a do have an affiliate relationship with Snagit and TechSmith is one of my consulting clients, this offer isn't related in any way – I don't get any affiliate commission for it.