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Background: Info.Design

Thom Haller founded Info.Design in 1996 after spending twelve years as a research associate, technical writer, and communications specialist for a number of "three-letter-acronym" firms in the Washington, D.C. area.

Trained as a rhetorician, a communicator that directs thought and language toward action, Thom found himself drawn to Instructional Systems Design models and other action-focused strategies for improving human performance. He applied these strategies in rethinking the structure of organizational processes and instructional guides for Government and private clients.

Thom discovered that users and his direct colleagues appreciated his efforts, and he received several awards for his work. Yet he felt frustrated by organizations that defined what he did as taking information and "prettying it up," providing a "last-minute-service" and not really contributing to the businesses themselves. He felt that as a professional communicator, he offered a broader service than the label "writer" led many to believe. (For more information, read "Thom's Story")

Empowering Others

Thom believed, like Richard Saul Wurman, (who coined the label information architect) that we could learn strategies for making information more understandable. He believed we could reeducate others to see the "hidden" value in information for improving organizational performance.

Because of his interest in synthesizing information and sharing it with others, Thom was drawn to teaching. Soon after shifting from his professional services work, Thom was identified by USDA Graduate School as one of their "national best." He also received an opportunity to teach undergraduate students (and shift their "make me learn/I'm here because this is required" philosophy to a goal-directed focus).

But as a teacher, Thom encountered students who appreciated the knowledge but often wanted help implementing organizational solutions. So Thom's dream of increased possibility grew into Info.Design.

Supporting Organizations

To support client needs, Thom formed a consultancy/core team and began working with Information Architects, Instructional Designers, and Usability Specialists in the Washington, DC area.

Collectively, the staff of Info.Design provides teaching and consulting. Committed to research and scholarly synthesis, Info.Design also contributes to academic and professional "conversations" via publications and presentations and leadership roles in professional organizations.

To find out more about how Info.Design's experience can benefit your organization, e-mail thom@thomhaller.com.