Author: absolutwillie

Language is the most basic form of modern information exchange – therefore poetry can be seen as a form of information design. The Japanese have a magnificent tradition of information design through verse. Here are two examples – what does it tell you?

Can it be that the moon has changed?
Can it be that the spring
Is not the spring of old times?
Is it my body alone
That is just the same?
(Narihira in Ise Monogatari, p. 67)

In this world is there
One thing constant?
Yesterday’s depths
In Asuka River
Today are but shallows.
(Anonymous in Kokinshù, p.76)

Good morning to you.

Sometimes, when we rummage through our old boxes, in stead of dwelling on the past we could stumble onto clues about ourselves. Clues that make more sense now than they did when first encounered. Here’s one, a quote from who knows where, that I (re)discovered:

“Certainly there is now a growing realisation that simplification is often the best way to filter information from an endless ocean of trivia, and that in the future the onus will be on graphic designers to become “information architects” so they can create tools that help the user to better navigate the complex seas of the digital age.”

I like that.
Will ponder on it some more… good night.