Useful links

Edward Tufte
The guru of information design. Information about his books together with an extensive discussion forum

InfoDesign
Links to the latest discussions and postings on information design: predominantly web-based design and information architecture

Design Council
An introduction to information design and the challenges facing the profession today. The Design Council promotes the use of design throughout the UK's businesses and public services.

Information Aesthetics
Information graphics, examples of visual data presentation - some useful, some decorative

Boxes and Arrows
Beautifully-designed site on information architecture: hosts thoughtful papers on web-based usability issues

InfoDesign-Café
Unmoderated discussions of information design issues. UK-based. Uses old-style email list but an archive of previous discussions is accessible

Don Norman
Important writer on design. Claims to be against simplicity and for complexity: but in fact shares the Simplification Centre's commitment to making complex things clear and understandable

Vischeck
Find out how your designs are seen by those with the common forms of colour blindness (eight percent of males, including the Director of the Simplification Centre)

NIACE
The National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education supports and campaigns for adult education. Incorporates the former Basic Skills Agency. Extensive resources and research about adult literacy and numeracy

Plain English Campaign
Promotes clear language through campaigning, training courses, awards and consultancy. Site contains extensive resources, some controversial, but all aimed at better, clearer use of language expecially in official documents.

Plain Language Commission
Consultancy and promotion of clear language. Site includes a useful lexicon showing frequency of use of words and extent to which they are understood.

Consumer Focus
The new statutory organisation campaigning for a fair deal for consumers in England, Wales, Scotland, and, for postal services, Northern Ireland. Site has extensive archive of publications from its predecessor consumer councils in England, Wales and Scotland.

Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,200 locations. It also co-ordinates social policy, media, publicity and parliamentary work and maintains an information and advice website

Communications Research Institute
Australian centre for information design. Website includes David Sless' blog: thought-provoking articles from one of the major information design thinkers.

Web Accessibility Initiative
Detailed technical guidance on maximising the accessibility of websites to users - particularly those with disabilities.

Information Design Association
Association of information designers and other professionals in the UK with an interest in information design. News and events. Holds regular meetings in London and an annual conference.

IIID
International Institute for Information Design:an international body for information designers. Discounted membership available to students and education. Site contains design resources for members.