Abstract

In the intersection of disciplines such as User Experience (UX) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM), this paper presents definitions from a change of paradigm: From dealing with disaster towards the management of risk, establishing the conceptual notion of Before - During - After an event. In the communication of risk, different tools are combined to deliver information about subjects, events or actions. Ideally, a well-designed message allows users to visualize, understand and facilitate decisions. However, in an emergency the experience might be radically altered. Information Design (ID) has a role to optimize messages in such disruptive contexts. In order to cope with access or language barriers, instrument devices such as icons are widely applied. Following ID principles, messages and visual tools devices need to be verified in their effectiveness. Design + Research is presented: In one hand, open-source icons representing emergencies, and in the other their international testing. Establishing performance indicators, the results reveal the importance of simple visual information tools to optimize communication. Conclusions call for an open collaboration process, focusing on a multidisciplinary integration. Finally, observations are provided as an ongoing process.