What's new
March 2008
Nominated by the Design Council, Andrew Boag is a member of the Commission on Human Medicines' Patient Information Expert Advisory Group. It meets regularly, and discusses wide ranging issues relating to how information is communicated to patients about medicines and medical devices, in such things as patient information leaflets (or PILS) that accompany all medicines.
This area is heavily regulated by UK and European regulatory bodies. As a result of his involvement with this committee Boag Associates have developed significant knowledge around safety of patient information, user testing, and Andrew has given talks on the design of pharmaceutical packaging. Minutes of PIEAG meetings are published and available from » www.mhra.gov.uk
February 2008
Andrew teaches annually at Gjøvic University College, at the invitation of the school of graphic design. He introduces students to the importance of information design, and of appropriate design processes.
October 2007
Boag Associates was a successful winner at the 2007 DBA Design Effectiveness Awards Ceremony.
Each year, the DBA celebrate the impact that good design can have on business performance. This year, Boag Associates won a sliver award in the category 'Print-Consumer' for our work on the recently launched T-Mobile bill.
A big thank you to everyone who has worked with Boag Associates to help produce an award winning bill which has yielded fantastic business returns for T-Mobile.
» Click here to see the T-Mobile bill case study on the DBA website
March 2007
In March 2007 Andrew Boag presented a paper on ‘The design of utility billing in England now’ at the Information Design Conference in Greenwich, London. Boag was programme convenor with Sue Walker.
Talks and workshops
Typographic theories
An introduction to the means by which typographers make visual sense. The effective use of type and space
Typographic basics
An introduction to some typographic terms and principles.
Letterforms: origin
Looks at the development from pictograms to ideograms and to phonetic and alphabetic script.
Letterforms: description and classification
First looks at why there might be a need for systems of letterform classification and nomenclature, then outlines existing systems.
Letterforms: legibility
An introductory summary of what type and lettering designers can learn from the results of legibility research.
What shapes our letters?
How the shapes of our letters are influenced by external forces. A talk in three parts:
- The influence of tools and materials on the shapes of our letterforms
- The influence of the computer on the shapes of letters for optical character recognition
- The generally un-influencial process of punch-cutting
What is the point?
Looks at how type is measured, and makes suggestions for how it should be measured, with a historical survey of the development of the point system and metrication.
Approaches to type design
Introduction to the fundamentals of the type design process with reference to historical practices.
The roman letter: from inscription to type
The Romans; Jenson, Aldus, and Garamond; and a brief look at some twentieth-century revivals.
The italic letter: from manuscript to type
Aldus, Vicentino, and some twentieth-century revivals.
Type design before the 1800s
Type design and manufacture before mechanization.
Type design in 19th & 20th centuries
Type design and manufacture after mechanization.
Factors in choosing typefaces
Looks at factors involved in the selection of typefaces.
Type for newspapers, television, and telephone directories
Type design for constrained circumstances of use and specific application.
Type for newspapers (in detail)
A more detailed historical and theoretical analysis of the design of type for newspaper typesetting and printing, including the development of Times New Roman.
Type on screen
Why does it look crude? Why do we put up with it? What can be done about it?
Hyphenation and justification
What it’s all about, why it’s done, and how it’s best achieved in desktop publishing.
A history of typesetting
An overview of the methods and mechanisms of typesetting technologies from Gutenberg, to laser-based digital imaging, explaining Linotype, Monotype, and phototypesetting systems on the way.
Type technologies
A overview of type rendering, design, and production technologies. From how Gutenberg made type to PostScript and TrueType.
Electronic document delivery
Why are we still so dependent on paper? Is paper becoming redundant? Why have computers not made it easy to deliver documents electronically? How contemporary technologies try to overcome the problems.
Type design on the Macintosh
An introduction to designing type on the Macintosh. Case-study slides can be shown. All students must have a working knowledge of the Macintosh, but not necessarily specific type-design software. The workshop involves the production of a set of alternative numerals for Gill Sans based on a set of drawings made by Gill, using current desktop software. All students should be able to produce their own alternative font by the end of the session.
Information design
An introduction to designing with type on the Macintosh. This workshop is designed to accompany lectures on information design, and others, listed above. Students design a small piece of information using current desktop software. Alternatively students can bring along their own work for critical analysis and advice.
Document design: getting your message across (2 day course)
This 2 day course can be tailored to your specific requirements. Please contact us for more information.
An introduction to typographic design for in-house desktop publishers (1 day course)
This 1 day course can be tailored to your specific requirements. Please contact us for more information.
Information design resources
Online
» InfoDesign list and websiteThe InfoDesign website lists information, designers and relevant organizations.
» InfoDesign-CafeInfoDesign Cafe is a moderated online discussion forum.
In print
» Information Design JournalIDJ focuses on 'user-centred communication design', and appears roughly twice a year. It is published by John Benjamins publishing company.
Organizations
» Information Design AssociationRegular evening meetings in London and conference.
» International Institute for Information Design (IIID)The IIID was founded to develop research and practice in optimizing information and information systems for knowledge transfer in everyday life, business, education and science.
» Sign Design SocietyThe Sign Design Society seeks to promote excellence in signing and wayfinding. Members and guests meet regularly for informal discussions, usually led by guest speakers.