I remember learning about the choices regarding the information design of the Vietnam memorial a long time ago. The major factor that makes it stands out as a memorial (apart from the black marble) is the organizational principle they used for the plethora of names. Rather than organizing the names in alphabetical order, that would have grouped last names together and somehow lessened the impact of the individual, they chose a design organize chronologically, thereby making sure that each name stood as its own memorial. more info on the Vietnam memorial
The New York Times has now created an interactive “flash memorial” (they may not call it that, but it is) to the first 1,000 killed in Iraq. Flash may not have the same austere impact as black granite but the different ways that you can look at the information will get you if your heart is not made out of wood.
first 1,000 who died (requires free registration)
Karl Long, "experience design - the first 1,000 dead," Experience Curve Blog, 3 Oct 2004
