THE ROLE OF INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE IN INFOGRAPHIC DESIGN AND THE LATCH THEORY

Aydin D. E., UÇAR T. F.

ANADOLU UNIVERSITESI SANAT & TASARIM DERGISI-ANADOLU UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF ART & DESIGN, vol.15, no.2, pp.835-854, 2025 (ESCI, TRDizin)

Abstract

Knowledge is considered as one of the most valuable treasuries providing power and prosperity since the beginning of civilizations. However, in modern world, information by its nature is far more dense, fast, and accessible when compared with the previous times. Thus, it is not easy to manage information due to its mass. In addition, it is extremely important to perceive quickly, effectively and permanently because information grows like an avalanche, and it seems like a new labyrinth that people try to escape. One of the most profound challenges in modern era is to get accurate information and to control it. Therefore, information graphics (infographics) design has become one of the most essential disciplines like many new professions aiming to organize and present information in a correct manner. In information graphics design, information architecture-where data is structured, organized, and differentiated-represents one of the most critical steps in the process. The more accurately the information architecture of an infographic is established, the more functional it becomes, and the better the communication it facilitates. Accordingly, this study focuses first on the concept of information, then on information graphics design as a discipline, and finally on the importance of information architecture in the infographic design process. Information architecture is analyzed within the context of the LATCH theory, proposed in the 1970s by Richard Saul Wurman, the creator of the term itself. Furthermore, infographic designs are examined from the perspective of information architecture.