Multiple voices in the graphic design of a visual information system

This paper describes the work of a multi-disciplinary team developing the visual interface of an interactive, freely navigable 3D world. The focus is on working methods: searching for visual examples, sketching, formulating design principles, prototyping, testing and developing guidelines for scene composition. Practices of aligning multiple voices, the different roles of architect, 3D designer, and computer graphic specialist, as well as the power of visualizations are discussed. At the core of this analysis is the notion of innovative design as ‘oscillating between precision and fuzziness’.