There are many different organisations, courses, forums and websites that can help you learn more about information design. Here are just a few of them
Department of Typography & Graphic Communication, University of Reading
www.rdg.ac.uk/Typography/
One of the leading design research departments in the UK (rated 5 in RAE 2001). Research covers a number of aspects of information design.
Visual and Information Design Research Centre, Coventry School of Art and Design
www.coventry.ac.uk/csad
Conducts research into the design and evaluation of human-computer interfaces and technical communications.
Communication Research Institute of Australia
www.communication.org.au
A not-for-profit organisation supported by its members. Carries out research on websites, billing and letter systems, forms, health information, label and product information, strategic communication reviews, etc.
Design Research Society (DRS)
www.designresearchsociety.org
The DRS is the multi-disciplinary international learned society for the design research community. DRS has facilitated an international design research network in 40 countries comprising members who maintain contact through the publications and activities of the Society. Members are drawn from diverse backgrounds, not only from the traditional areas of design, ranging from fine art to engineering, but also from subjects like psychology and computer science.
International Institute for Information Design (IIID)
www.iiid.net
Vienna-based international organisation, running the regular VisionPlus conferences. IIID focuses on information design for business communications, product development, orientation in the environment, training and education, and the better understanding of scientific knowledge.
Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators
www.istc.org.uk
UK-based organization whose interests cover all aspects of the writing, illustrating, design and publication of scientific and technical information in whatever medium.
Sign Design Society
www.signdesignsociety.co.uk
UK-based society for people involved and interested in sign design, maps and wayfinding. Monthly talks and debates, quarterly newsletter, seminars, sign design awards.
Society for Technical Communication (STC), Information Design Special Interest Group
www.stcsig.org/id
STC is US-based and has 25,000 members including technical writers, editors, graphic designers, videographers, multimedia artists, web and intranet page information designers, translators and others.
Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group for Documentation
www.sigdoc.org
US-based association whose members are communication professionals from all technical and scientific disciplines - those who create documentation in the computing community and those who use computers to create documentation in many styles and mediums.
Professional Communication Society of the IEEE
www.ieeepcs.org
The PCS is part of the US Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Its interests include distance learning, web design and hypertext, document usability, video, team writing, visual communication, information design, communication and publication management and production, user interface design, and information dissemination, retrieval, and use.
Designers in Health
www.dihnet.org.uk
The National Designers in Health Network is a mutual support group that aims to raise the profile of design as an integral part of the UK National Health Service. The sharing of experience, knowledge, technical expertise and examples of good practice is encouraged through one-to-one contacts, an email discussion list and learning events.
InfoDesign-Cafe
http://lists.webtic.nl/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe
Unmoderated email discussion group with around 500 subscribers. Wide-ranging discussion of information design issues.
InfoDesign list
www.informationdesign.org/lists
A low-traffic, moderated email list with 2,000 subscribers. Broadcasts announcements of events and new publications, with occasional reports and discussions.