Victoria, Canada

Life, Death and Graphic Design: The Critical Role of Information Design in Emergencies

Graphic design helps people make decisions. This is a given to designers. We don’t often think about how vital it becomes in an emergency situation. Visual information guides our thinking process, helps us assess personal risk and gain understanding so that we can make informed decisions—decisions which can have a profound impact on our lives. They can mean life or death.

Peggy Cady has written a compelling article that explores the vital importance of information design to the public and aid workers during the disasters in Japan. Access or download an online PDF of the article (4.5 MB, loaded with information graphics and numerous links) here.

Peggy Cady is a graphic designer in Victoria, BC. She is a former national president of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) and a GDC Fellow. Peggy would like this to be shared broadly—please feel free to re-post and distribute any way you wish…