To follow is a brief summary of my notes on a very extensive, all-day session on a complex matter. One of Tufte's main premises is that there is no information overload . Instead, there is only a proliferation of poor design that does injustice to data and to the audience.
Thoughtful design shortens time in decoding information.
Rules of Magic Retard understanding Avoid repetition Never inform the audience what you are planning to do or why Achieve the smallest, most in perceptible, but effective change. Avoid bullets and abbreviations Use humor sparingly and effectively to include and open up, not to alienated or deride. There is nothing like practice , practice, practice. Really good design of information is self-effacing. Witness the Challenger shuttle disaster.