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Call for Papers – Special Issue of Information Design Journal (IDJ)
Theme: Cultural Turns in Information Design
About the Journal
The Information Design Journal (IDJ) is a peer-reviewed international journal that bridges the gap between research and practice in the field of information design. Established in 1979, IDJ has been continuously indexed in Scopus since its inception, and is also indexed in CNKI Scholar, Dimensions, ERIH PLUS, Glottolog, IBR/IBZ, INSPEC, and Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA).
https://benjamins.com/catalog/idj
Call for Papers (CfP): https://benjamins.com/series/idj/callforpapers.pdf
The Information Design Journal is pleased to announce a forthcoming special issue on “Cultural Turns in Information Design”, scheduled for publication across the 2025 issues.
Theme Overview: Cultural Turns in Information Design
This special issue invites contributions that engage with “cultural turns” in the field of information design—an emerging perspective that foregrounds the role of cultural contexts, values, and epistemologies in shaping how people interpret, interact with, and apply information.
Traditionally, information design has emphasised universal principles of clarity, simplicity, and functionality. However, this special issue calls for a shift: one that recognises the cultural specificity of information practices and embraces inclusive, localised, and critically reflexive approaches to design.
“Cultural turns” in this context refer to the integration of culturally rooted knowledge systems, interpretive practices, and ethical considerations into the design process. We seek work that explores how information design can move beyond surface-level translation or visual adaptation to embed meaningful cultural insight into communication practices. This approach not only improves accessibility and relevance but also supports more equitable forms of knowledge representation and exchange.
Focus Areas
We invite theoretical, conceptual and empirical submissions from across disciplines that intersect with culture and information design. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Cross-Cultural Usability and Information Perception
Examining how visual elements such as symbols, color, layout, and typography are interpreted across cultures. Includes comparative studies and design guidelines that support culturally sensitive communication.
2. Indigenous Knowledge and Local Epistemologies in Information Design
Exploring how Indigenous worldviews, storytelling traditions, and visual languages can be meaningfully integrated into information systems – digital or physical – to promote cultural resonance and community ownership.
3. Culturally Adaptive Interaction Design
Investigating how interaction patterns and user interfaces can be adapted to suit different cultural preferences, norms, and user behaviours within digital and physical environments.
4. Narrative and Visual Storytelling Across Cultures
Analyzing the role of cultural storytelling, visual metaphors, and traditional communication forms (e.g. folklore, ritual, oral history) in designing information for diverse audiences.
5. Ethical Considerations in Cross-Cultural Design
Addressing the politics and ethics of representation, cultural appropriation, inclusion, and the power dynamics involved in designing for (and with) culturally diverse groups.
6. Frameworks for Cultural Turns in Information Design
Developing theoretical or conceptual models that map the relationship between culture, interaction, and information design – drawing from cultural studies, design anthropology, semiotics, or decolonial theory.
Submission Categories
We welcome contributions in the following formats:
Full-Length Papers (7,000–10,000 words)
In-depth, original research with significant theoretical, methodological, or empirical contributions.
Medium-Length Papers (5,000–7,000 words)
Empirical studies, theoretical discussions, literature reviews, or practice-based case studies.
Short Papers (3,000–5,000 words)
Research-in-progress, reflective essays, or pilot/scoping studies.
Other Contributions (1,500–2,000 words)
Interviews, practical insights, thought pieces, or book reviews relevant to the special issue theme.
Important Dates
Full Paper Submission Deadline: 31 August 2025
Peer Review Notification: 17 October 2025
Online First Publication: From 3 November 2025 (rolling basis)
Special Issue Print Publication: early 2026
Please consult the journal’s submission guidelines: https://benjamins.com/catalog/idj/submission
Submissions must be made via the Editorial Manager system: https://www.editorialmanager.com/idj/default.aspx.
When submitting, please indicate that your paper is for the “Cultural Turns in Information Design” special issue.
Special Issue Editors
Juhri Selamet, PhD
American University in Dubai, UAE
jselamet@aud.edu / juhri.selamet@gmail.com
Nina Hansopaheluwakan Edward, PhD
The University of Sydney, Australia
For inquiries or to discuss a proposal prior to submission, feel free to contact the special issue editors.
We look forward to your contributions to this exciting and timely special issue.
Suggested Further Reading
Anderson, J. and Koval, J., 2000. Collaborative Information Design: Seattle's Modern Odyssey. Information Design, p.247.
Heinstrom, Jannica. From fear to flow: personality and information interaction. Elsevier, 2010.
Lowgren, Jonas, and Erik Stolterman. Thoughtful interaction design: A design perspective on information technology. MIT Press, 2007.
Screven, Chan G. "Information design in informal settings: Museums and other public spaces." Information design (1999): 131-192.
Shedroff, Nathan. "Information Interaction Design: A Unified Field Theory of Design." (1994).
Spinuzzi, Clay. Tracing genres through organizations: A sociocultural approach to information design. Vol. 1. Mit Press, 2003.
