Viewing

We view displays: we look at an object, and then perceive some kind of information. Using displays is visual communication: a transfer of ‘information’ to be perceived by the viewer.

                  Fig 17

Selecting the proper display must therefore be based on the requirements for visual communication.

What kind of information is to be displayed to viewers? There is a huge difference in the requirements between a display in the airport directing passengers to the right gate and the display used in the boardroom, viewing spreadsheets, graphs, product details etc...

So, what are the fundamentals?

Firstly: the amount of information in one single image.