infographics: the good and the bad

INFOGRAPHICS

T H E G O O D A N D T H E B A D

SO WHAT?

A lot has been said about howinfographics are helpful when itcomes to content marketing.But do you know the differencebetween an effective infographicand an ineffective one?

WHY INFOGRAPHICS?

and content withimages get nearlydouble the views ofcontent withoutimages.

The human brain is able to consume

visual content

times faster than text...

60,000

WHY NOT JUST PHOTOS?

Photos can't translate statisticalfacts or explain a concept asquickly as an infographic.

Fourth graders unable to say why Abraham Lincoln wasan important person.

20%

Source: http://nation.foxnews.com/american-history/2011/06/15/american-students-failing-history-cant-say-what-lincoln-did

THE BAD

Infographics are more than just pretty. They need to deliver the message of the data in a concise way.

What are some of the worst "sins"when it comes to infographics?

Too much data.

It becomes difficult to focus attention and can turnoff users looking for comparative information.

Unnecessary 3D.

3D may look cool, but can distort the way dataneeds to be represented.

Graphs that just don't add up.

Don't try to combine different statistics into one graph.(In this example it adds up to a 243% baby boomer.)

Keep it simple.

Viewers should be able to understand the informationpresented within a single reading.

THE GOODOnce you know the story yourinfographic is telling, this storyshould be the focus of your art.

Here are some excellent examplesand tips to get your data across inan easy to understand way.

Use pictures

and icons.

Avoid text overload or pictures with toomuch detail.

Cartesian graphs are better.

Radial charts may look cooler, but Cartesian graphs(Bar charts, Column charts) display multiple datasets much quicker and easier.

Definition:

A Cartesian graph is

created by drawing a

horizontal x-axis, and a

vertical number y-axis.

Keep the design clean with enough

space between data.

Use a simple color scheme.

Use motifs that relate to yoursubject and its data. (In thiscase we talk about "traffic.") 

Keep your design

consistent with

your subject.

Keep in mind that theassociated article shouldnot be redundant in termsof repeating theinformation presented inthe infographic, but shouldinstead serve as asupplement. 

Include a relevant article with

your infographic.

SOURCES

http://www.designyourway.net/blog/inspiration/when-infographics-go-bad-or-how-not-to-design-data-visualization/

http://blog.visual.ly/7-cardinal-sins-of-chartmaking

http://blog.visual.ly/accidental-meaning-graphic-design/

http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design-tips/information-graphics-1232836om/infographics

http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/2015-04-16/how-leverage-power-infographics-social-media

http://www.coolinfographics.com/blog/tag/photo

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