DDENSO: an evaluation-driven methodology for information visualisations

When designing Information Visualisations for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) initiatives, a significant challenge lies in ensuring that they effectively transmit and consolidate knowledge, particularly when the Information Visualisation literacy of the audience is unknown. Applying a Research through Design approach, this article describes a meta-process: the reflective and iterative path that led to the definition of DDENSO, a replicable design methodology for creating and evaluating Information Visualisations that allow for knowledge retention. Grounded in prior theoretical and practical experience in Information Design, DDENSO emerged through the development of the artefacts for a MIL exhibition exploring the social implications of Artificial Intelligence. It is structured around what we call Knowledge Objectives which, we argue, can contribute to the broader debate on Information Design as a critical tool for transmitting knowledge that sticks, by integrating evaluation as a core element of the design process.