An Extended Model of Knowledge Communication: The Situational View of Dealing with Asymmetries

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the consequences of knowledge asymmetries in complex communication scenarios, looking especially at those situations in which professionals – in our cases translators and visual information designers – are required to manage communication for other parties, produce texts and design information. After describing the general knowledge communication setting in information design processes, we will discuss the knowledge asymmetries and diversities which characterize this scenario. We base our arguments on conceptualizations of knowledge as constructive and situative. This constructivist, situational perspective on knowledge confronts us with new challenges for translators and visual information designers. To overcome these challenges, we propose an extended model of knowledge communication and different strategies for addressing the changes in information design and translation practice that result from a situated view on knowledge communication. This novel conceptualization of the knowledge communication setting manifests itself in four changes to the information design process: a changed view on user knowledge as situated, on artefacts as enriched, of target users as innovators, and of information designers as situation designers.