Vision Plus Conference

The “Vision Plus” conference series always provides an inspiring forum for discussion and the exchange of experience and ideas on relevant and topical information design issues. It is an international and interdisciplinary symposium under the patronage of UNESCO.

VisonPlus conference website

Call for papers: VisionPlus’24

Vienna (Austria), 20-21 June 2024

We would like to show the breadth and depth of information design projects in the following areas:

  • Financial information design.
  • Social information design.
  • Legal information design.
  • Medical information design.
  • Information design education.
  • Governmental information design.

The conference will cover all aspects of information design (including graphic design, plain language, visualization, usability etc) in any channel or format.

Submissions

In the programme, we are looking to balance presentations about practical projects, research projects, and educational projects.

Presentations: All presentations will be 20 minutes plus discussion time.

Abstract: We require a title and a text of about 200 words. This might describe the objectives, key activities and key outcomes, and if appropriate, images of your project. If your paper is selected, we will also need a photo of yourself and a brief bio.

Please send a description or an abstract of your project to: info@iiid.net

Submission deadline is: March 31st, 2024.

We will respond by April 15th, 2024.

Expressions of interest: Information Design Research

Are you:

  • doing a doctorate in information design right now?
  • thinking about it?
  • supervising or examining doctoral students?

On Wednesday June 19th, (just before the Vision Plus conference) we’re holding a meet-up for you.

There will be informal dialogues to find direction, reflect on activities, and discuss suggestions. The conversations will continue during dinner and drinks afterwards. There will be some experienced supervisors and examiners to talk to, as well as fellow doctoral students.

If you are interested, please contact Karel van der Waarde research.education@iiid.net

Previous Events

VisionPlus19, 2023, Vienna, Austria: Information design for healthcare

The 19th Visionplus conference focused on healthcare, prevention, and well-being:
Finding a way through healthcare systems, healthcare buildings, and healthcare finances is often a challenge, even when we’re healthy and wealthy.

Download programme

VisionPlus18, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico: Information Design as a tool for a better city

Mexico City was World Design Capital in 2018, the Vision Plus conference focused on how information design can contribute to improving city life.

VisionPlus17, 2017, Riga, Latvia: Core Competencies – Information Design in Education

Information design professionals, students and teachers from around the world joined us in Riga to take a closer look at the skills, competences and talents needed for implementing good information design.
The event took place at the Art Academy of Latvia. It also served as a platform to get familiar with the information design scene in Latvia, the Baltic and Eastern Europe as well we welcoming our international community from all over the world from Asia, Australia, Africa and America and, of course, Europe.

Browse photos
Photos: Catharina Ballan and Gints Malderis

VisionPlus16, 2015, Birmingham, UK: information+design=performance

In September 2015, IIID partnered with Birmingham City University and the Information Design Association to organize the 16th international interdisciplinary symposium at the universities new Parkside Building in Birmingham, UK.
The Symposium explored a wide variety of relevant and topical issues ranging from information at the beginning of the digital age, healthcare, inclusion, big data visualization, to wayfinding and many other fascinating ideas relating to information, design and performance.
The event was a great success, with speakers and delegates from around the world sharing ideas across two days at the City Centre Campus, Birmingham City University.
Download Programme

IIID members have access to full proceedings and poster presentations – please contact info@iiid.net.

VisionPlus15, 2014, Vienna, Austria: Transforming Information
A conference to examine the role of the Isotype Transformer 90 years on…

The graphic language of Isotype with its simple repeated symbols has largely become just one element in the designer’s toolbox – as Otto Neurath predicted in International Picture Language in 1936 ‘dependent on their times like all the old sign languages’. This conference in the Vision Plus series investigated the role of the „transformer“ and its understanding among designers practicing today. The event was named in reference to Marie Neurath.

Download programme

IIID members have access to full proceedings – please contact info@iiid.net.

Mobileplus, 2011, Chennai, India: Inclusive Growth through Mobile Applications
The Mobile Plus conference addressed technology and information design challenges for bringing relevant content via mobile phone to people who would otherwise have no access to such information.
It investigated what formats of communication are appropriate and understandable in order to empower people, facilitate exchange and promote inclusive growth.
Technology, design and development experts, content and infrastructure providers from around the world shared their best-practice examples, experiences and ideas for mobile phone applications that drive development and change in education, healthcare and rural prosperity.

Download programme

IIID members have access to the proceedings and all presentations – please contact info@iiid.net.

VisionPlus14, 2010, Ahmedabad, India: Communities, Healthcare, Mobility.

This conference was co-organized with the Indian National Institute of Design and addressed the information needs of a multi-cultural and multi-lingual society.

Download programme

IIID members have access to all presentations – please contact info@iiid.net.

VisionPlus13, 2009, Paris, France: Data Designged for Decisions
Enhancing social, economic and environmental progress

Jointly organised by IIID and the OECD Statistics Directorate.

Over 50 speakers from 20 countries investigated selection, visualisation, interpretation and communication of data.
DD4D programme

IIID members have access to the proceedings, all presentations and posters – please contact info@iiid.net.

VisionPlus12, 2007, Schwarzenberg, Austria: Information Design achieveing measurable results

Download programme

IIID members have access to all presentations – please contact info@iiid.net.

VisionPlus11, 2005, Vienna, Austria: Needs, Trends and Themes for Information Design

More information available soon

VisionPlus10, 2003, Lech, Austria: Tourist information de Luxe – for All

This conference focused on two aspects of tourism: Creating inclusive information environments and making visitors want to return to the destination.

Download programme

IIID members have access to all presentations – please contact info@iiid.net.

Early conferences

  • VisionPlus9, 2003, London, UK: Designs and Destinations
    Integrated Information for Urban Transport
  • VisionPlus8, 2000, Vienna, Austria: Turning Information into Corporate Knowledge
    Innovative Information Management: A Design Challenge
  • VisionPlus7, 1999, Tokyo, Japan: Diversification of Minds
    Conversation in Processes / Design for Communities
  • VisionPlus6, 1999, Vienna, Austria: Drawing the Process
    Visual Planning and Explaining
  • VisionPlus5, 1998, Schwarzenberg, Austria: Learning Meets Information Design
    Information Design Meets Learning
  • VisionPlus4, 1998, Pittsburgh, USA: The Republic of Information
    Design for Global Communication
  • VisionPlus3, 1997, Schwarzenberg, Austria: Design on the fly
    The Structuring of Information for Instant Use
  • VisionPlus2, 1996, Schwarzenberg, Austria: Seeing, Feeling, Understanding
    Controversial Views on Development in Communication
  • VisionPlus1, 1995, Götzis, Austria: Design for Electronic Communication