This article is based on a presentation given at the IIID Vision Plus 12 conference ‘Achieving measurable results’ in Schwarzenberg, Austria in 2006. The following text provides an outline of a single perspective on the circumstances in 2008. There are many stakeholders involved in the development of information about medicines, and all have different concerns which influence contents and design. A single article cannot do justice to the wide variation of perspectives.
Academics have recently explored establishing two education networks in graphic design and communication design, one respectively in the UK and the other in Australia. However, although based on similar concerns, beliefs and aspirations, the two networks have assumed different names. For some, graphic design and communication design are interchangeable terms. For others, they mean different things. This may be confusing for some in a higher education sector that has continually evolved and expanded in recent decades. This 'conversation' session set out to explore the similarities and differences between graphic design and communication design. The formation of these networks was briefly outlined and delegates worked together to identify how various defining qualitiescompetencies, knowledge, skills, activities, functions-might differentiate between graphic design and communication design. The objective was to establish where there are converging and diverging interests, and where there needs to be further research into differentiation that challenges territorial assumptions about practice, theory, and history in graphic design and communication design.
This article shows and describes the information about an ordinary pain killer—Ibuprofen—presented in medicine packaging, labels and leaflets. The article discusses both the contents and design, and questions whether this combination of information is the most appropriate way to communicate with a person who has a minor headache. The article is divided into two parts. The first part provides a step-by-step description, whereas the second part summarizes the main patterns of the pain killer (Ibuprofen) information communication. The main conclusions are: the contents are incorrectly structured, repetitive, conflicting and hard to apply; the language used is confusing, vague and at some parts inappropriate; the visual design does not enable people to find and understand information, and the information does not really help patients to make appropriate decisions. These conclusions could be used as a starting point for the development of information about Ibuprofen which would really enable people to act appropriately.
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