‘What is Information Design?’

James Bardin 9/19/2022

 This blog is about what is Information Design.

      The idea of information design is to compare established charts for the like contents and come up with ideas that could be changed. One the ideas I have is to change the DMV driving license chart to include vehicles which normally don't require a license for safety. The message is to represent and include symbols, icons, and visual language into more charts.

         Here is the NY State DMV chart for driving license classes. Here is the link to refer to for the New York State DMV charts https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/nys-driver-license-classes. 

Driver License Class Descriptions

CLASS	QUALIFICATIONS	ELIGIBLE TO DRIVE:	ENDORSEMENTS
A Commercial (CDL)	Age 21 or older Legal presence in the United States	Most single unit vehicles and vehicle combinations up to legal weight limits depending on endorsements and restrictions.	H, M, N, P, S, T, W, X Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) Limited to: M, N, P, S, W
B Commercial (CDL)	Age 18 or older Legal presence in the United States	Most single unit vehicles that a Class E driver can drive plus buses and trucks that have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more depending on endorsements and restrictions.	H, M, N, P, S, W, X Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) Limited to: M, N, P, S, W
C Commercial (CDL)	Age 18 or older Legal presence in the United States	Most single unit vehicles that a Class E driver can drive plus buses and trucks that have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)  of 26,000 lbs. or less depending on endorsements and restrictions.	H, M, N, P, S, W, X
D Operator	Age 18 or over, or age 17 with Driver Education.	Passenger cars and trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)  of 26,000 lbs. or less.  A vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) that has a maximum gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or less. Can tow a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs only if the combined weight rating of the two vehicles is 26,000 lbs. or less. Limited Use Motorcycles (mopeds)	F, G, R, W
DJ Junior Operator	Age 16-17	Passenger cars and trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)  of 10,000 lbs. or less. A vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) with a GVWR of 3,000 lbs. or less. Limited Use Motorcycles (mopeds)  See the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law and the restrictions on drivers under age 18
E For-hire: Taxi, Livery, Limo	Age 18 or older	The same type of vehicles as Class D, plus for-hire vehicles that carry 14 passengers or less.	F, G, R, W
M Motorcycle	Age 18 or over, or age 17 with Driver Education. Can be combined with other Classes, for example Class DM	Motorcycles
MJ Junior Motorcycle	Age 16-17 with Driver Education. Can be combined with Class DJ (DJMJ)	Motorcycles, with restrictions for drivers under age 18.  See the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law and the restrictions on drivers under age 18.

         

            Here is one of the charts I made based on DMV charts and what it would look like if they decide to divide the class D and M license up. Here is the link to aid the design to make charts more understanding and defined.  Here is the link for what some of the tables could look like https://www.danroam.com/showcase. The table for DMV could also add pictures of the vehicles you could drive with the class of license you will get. Changes to tables after the laws are changed are needed and not just make tables for documentations from the laws.

class of license	min size	max size	age restrictions	speed limits	testing requirements	how often the testing is done	Parking limits
s	no limit	no limit	30 except emergency vehicles	no limit	drug testing& written& practical	monthly	no limit
a	50,000 lb.	no limit	25	45	drug testing& written& practical	yearly	can park in loading and unloading zones
b	10,000 lb.	50,000 lb.	21	55	drug testing& written& practical	yearly	can park in loading and unloading zones
c	8000 lb.	10,000 lb.	18	65	drug testing& written& practical	every 5 years	can park in loading and unloading zones
d	2000 lb.	8000 lb.	16	65	drug testing& written& practical	on every renewal	can park in designation spots only
e	800 lb.	2000 lb.	16	65	drug testing& written& practical	only after conviction and when you first apply	can park in designation spots only
f	600 lb.	800 lb.	16	45	drug testing& written& practical	only after conviction and when you first apply	can park in designation spots only
g	400 lb.	600 lb.	14	35	drug testing& written& practical	only after conviction and when you first apply	can park in bike parking areas for 2 wheel only applies
h	200 lb.	400 lb.	14	30	drug testing& written& practical	only after conviction and when you first apply	can park in bike parking areas for 2 wheel only applies
i	20 lb.	200 lb.	14	20	drug testing& written& practical	only after conviction and when you first apply	can park in bike parking areas for 2 wheel only applies

      Politicians make and design tables and without criticism from individuals who are not, the tables look dull or simple. Information design is needed for making information simple and more easily to be read by others who don't know the topic well.  The table I designed gives the population additional information that could be helpful.

Kirsch, K. (2021, October 12). What is information design + how it can help you as a marketer. HubSpot Blog. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/information-design#:~:text=What%20is%20information%20design%3F%20Information%20design%20is%20the,storyline%20that%27s%20simple%20to%20follow%2C%20and%20clear%20conclusions.