Infographics are a visual representation of data or information intended to present data quickly and easily. They are easy to understand and have a higher recall value than information presented in a normal document form. Some topics are hard to explain in words. This is when infographics come to the rescue. Infographics are the best way to educate people with using limited words which will leave an impact on the readers. Imagine reading a 500-word document versus looking at a picture with graphics and fewer words, which one would you prefer?
Many organizations use infographics to distribute information. In print media, newspapers use infographics to show the weather, as well as maps, site plans, and graphs for summaries of data. Some books are entirely made up of information graphics. News channels use it to convey news and current events. Nowadays many websites have started using infographics as an effective way to communicate data to their audience. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook also allow posting individual infographics that help to spread awareness and information among many people around the world.
Modern maps, especially route maps for trains, use infographic techniques to integrate a variety of information, such as the layout of the train routes(western, harbour or central line) transfer points, and landmarks.
How do you prepare an infographic?
- Select a topic on which you want to make an infographic.
- Research about the topic. Find all the information about the topic, read articles and gather data
- Filter the important information from whatever you’ve collected
- Find appropriate graphics or custom images that go with your topic
- Make a proper design brief for the designer. The designer can be a freelancer or you yourself
- Select an info-graphic template which is suitable for you. There are many templates available on the internet which are free and made for this purpose.
- After selecting the template, edit the information in it and add your graphics and images.
- Highlight the important points, change the font if needed or the color scheme according to your preference
- Save the product when satisfied.
Here are some links to a few free infographic templates available online
Venngage : https://venngage.com/templates
Freepik: https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/infographic-template
Piktochart: https://piktochart.com/formats/infographics/
Canva: https://www.canva.com/templates/infographics/
A design brief is the ‘what’ and ‘why’ that helps the designer in understanding what the goal of the infographic is. It should also include any additional guidelines or specifications the design must follow. Absence of clear guidelines will lead to miscommunication and thus the resources and time will be wasted.
