Right now, if you want to boost your career, remember the Aesop's fable where one animal takes advantage of the fight between two others. However, instead of taking sides in this great debate, pounce upon the opportunity of becoming an information architect, somebody who would tend toward the Nielsen camp, but nevertheless reap rich rewards. If you have the skills and talent, you can claim a lot of respect and a good salary. But, then, information design isn't everybody's cup of tea. A rare opportunity to network, share ideas, and put theory and research into practice.
Information design offers a more holistic approach to design than graphic design.
Most designers and business owners are too myopic. IA specialists, as opposed to graphic designers, are involved in the meaning and context of content, not just the text they are illustrating. Because this is an emerging discipline, a specific background is not necessary at this point. But as time goes by and this discipline becomes established, I am certain we'll see Master and Doctoral level degrees offered. Currently, there are not many university-level courses available.