Bad instructions are bad for business.

At Infographics® we're in the business of translating technical product information into plain English with the goal of facilitating a better ownership experience for our customers' clients. We understand that bad instructions are bad for business, and in turn, good instructions result in brand loyalty and satisfaction.

Here are a few rules we routinely follow:

1. Target the audience – Usually consumers haven’t used the product before, that’s why they’re reading the instructions.
2. Use a simple style of language – This often means using the command form of the verb, known as the imperative: 'Switch on the computer' instead of 'The computer should be switched on'
3. Split the information into manageable chunks – Readers waste time and make mistakes if the information they need is buried in long paragraphs and wordy sentences.
4. Use section headers – Split the instructions into separate sections whose headings identify the purpose of each action.
5. Use appropriate illustrations and labels – Illustrations are good at showing what things look like and their relative size. This can save words (and translation costs!) as well as illuminate the words that remain.

Welcome to the blog!

“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.”

–Sydney J. Harris

At Infographics® we've spent the last 12 years developing communications tools that bridge educational, language and cultural barriers and make it easier for consumers to assemble and use all kinds of products. We translate complex engineering, assembly, care and usage information into an easy-to-digest, consumer-friendly language and have a host of services to address nearly any communications challenge. Over the years our goals have remained constant--facilitate understanding and improve the ownership experience for our clients' customers.

We invite you to take our on-line poll and share with us your communications challenges. And check back at this blogspot periodically, as we will be using this forum to share some of our successes, tips, and other visual solutions.