.svg){kind=icon}
People find data and information easy to understand when it is visually presented. You might have seen graphs, pictograms, etc., that people use to explain data and information.
Not only is it easy to understand, but it keeps people interested as it is not just plain boring text. And one way to keep people informed and interested is through infographics.
In this blog, let us take a look at what infographics are, why they should be used by everyone and the nine types of infographics. This might come in handy for anyone who wants to present data in an interesting manner, including educators, students, business persons, salespersons, etc.
What is an infographic?
If we go by the definition, an infographic is a visual representation of any kind of information or data. Be it a study on business stats or a step-by-step tutorial on how to dress-up, an infographic can help you to show that information in the form of an attractive visual graphic.
Take a look at the infographic examples shown below.
There are some points to keep in mind while designing an infographic:
- Use of bright colors
- Use of illustrated characters
- Use of Bold text
These points easily grab the reader's attention and give you an overview while you go through the topic. The overall aim of an infographic is not only to inform but also to make the viewing experience fun and engaging. You can get this all by using different elements like icons, colors, shapes, fonts, images, and illustrations.
The infographic above also showcases the statistical visuals of the data using donuts, bars, radials, and charts so that if you can't understand the text above, you will still get the picture.
Why should you use infographics?
In this modern world, people have very less time to read a whole topic, and so they skip time consuming content.
Infographics are a very useful tool for them so that they can communicate easily and prove the information about the topic. Everyone will be attracted to colorful visuals instead of only plain text. The most unique and creative infographics are handy because they quickly grab the attention and don't let us go.
Not just static images, but even while making motion graphics or animated videos that are educational or gives out information, infographics can be used extensively.
9 Types of infographics
So how do you choose the best infographic for the best infographic style for your information?
Here I have categorized these infographics into 9 types, based on the type of information included in the infographics.
Statistical infographics
Statistical infographics are used to show the survey results, present some data or show the data or keep some information in a very easy way. The statistical infographic will keep your focus on the data, while the visuals and layout tell you the story related to your data.
Your storytelling can include elements like icons, charts, images, and eye-catching fonts. Keep in mind that this infographic uses an icon to illustrate every statistic.
Here are some points to keep in mind while designing a statistical infographic:
- Tell the story through your designs through infographics.
- Your individual key point title must be in the context of the data.
- Visualize your data using charts, icons, and text variations.
- Decorate your key data by using the combinations of pairing the numbers with icons and text.
Informational infographics
Informational infographics are the best way to visualize a new or specialized concept or to give an overview of a topic. Typically, informational infographics are divided into sections with signifying headers.
Signifying headers and illustrative icons help in communicating better. Numbering in every section will play the best part in making the infographic design flow. People usually prefer the numbered infographic in comparison to any other.
Use techniques like switching up the colors and directions to keep your infographic engaging. You have to keep some points in mind while designing an infographic:
- Keep different titles for each header to keep information clear.
- Give a better flow of data by numbering each section.
- Illustrate concepts using icons and images.
Timeline infographics
A Timeline infographics template is the best way to visualize the history of something, highlighting important dates or an overview of events. The timeline of a project is one of the best examples of a timeline infographic.
Normally, humans tend to make sense of time spatially. Visual-like timeline infographics help in creating a clear picture of the timeframe. Using elements like icons, labels, text, photos, you can highlight and explain the points in time.
Here are some points you should keep in mind while designing a timeline infographic:
- To connect the different points in time, use a central line
- Use bold font to highlight the year or name of each event.
- Illustrate each point in time using simple icons and images.
- If necessary, provide a brief description of each point in the timeline.
Process infographics
A timeline infographic is used to highlight the points in time, while process infographics are used to provide a summary or overview of the steps used in a process.
Process infographic allows you to simplify and clarify each step in the process. Generally, process infographics use left-to-right or top-to-bottom flow, thereby making your process easy to follow if you label each step by numbers.
You can also use arrows and lines as directional cues to show the flow of your infographic. In case many steps are included in the infographic, you can use the 'snake' layout in your infographic. Your point will go back and forth in the infographic in 'S-Shape.'
You have to keep two points in mind while designing an infographic:
- Write your headers in a different font or use different colors to help them stand out.
- Use an S-shape layout to fit many steps into one page.
Geographic infographics
A Geographic infographics template is used when you want to show the location-based data, democratic view, or a showing the data in large quantities. In geographical infographics, you can use map charts as the focus visuals. Different map charts are used for showing different types of data.
Here are some points you should keep in mind while designing a geographic infographic:
- Use a heat map to visualize density by area and create a hierarchy of data.
- Use a map series to compare location-based information or show changes over time.
- Clearly label points on a map to make your data easier to understand at a glance.
Comparison infographics
Sometimes, it can be challenging to choose between two or more options. Comparison infographics are the best way to compare the options based on the features of a product or service. Comparison infographics split the features vertically or horizontally with the key points in the middle.
While you want to compare more than two options, dividing your infographic into two half won't be satisfying. Instead, you can divide your infographic into multiple sections. It can be horizontally or vertically.
You can use techniques like switching up the colors and directions to keep your infographic engaging.
Here are some points to keep in mind while designing comparison infographics:
- Divide your infographic into two sections to compare two options.
- For comparing more than two options, divide it into multiple sections.
- Choose a brighter background color of the section that can please your readers.
Hierarchical infographics
A hierarchical infographic is used to organize the items least to great or vice versa. The most known example of this type of infographic is the pyramid infographic.
One more example of the hierarchical infographic is visualizing a chain command or showing something is broken into parts. A flowchart is also part of this infographic.
List infographics
If you want to list some options, or collection of items, or a list of examples, you can make use of a list infographic. List Infographics are mostly straightforward— the main goal is to make them more attractive and engaging than a simple list.
Icons can be replaced with bullet points, and the colors used can make your list stand out. You can also number the points in your list to create a flow in your list.
It is not a hard final rule that a list always follows the top-to-bottom or left-to-right rule. You can also try unconventional layouts like S-shaped or circular layouts in list infographics.
Resume infographics
The modern corporate world has grown from old school to a professional standard. And this is why resume templates have become popular through the years.
However, nothing much will be changed from a traditional to a modern resume. The difference is that it will have attractive visuals to stand out in an interview, publish on your website, or attach into an email.
Here are some points to keep in mind while designing a resume infographic:
- Add a header that reflects the personality or the personal brand.
- Enhance your visualization by showing company logos that you have worked on or data or icons.
- Use bar graphs to show skills and growth.
The bottom line
Infographics are viral these days. The use of infographics makes your content easier to understand, as most visuals are seen in the form of icons and images.
Human eyes get attracted to colors, and therefore the use of different colors on infographics is a benefit to draw readers' attention.
In this blog, you have seen the different types of infographics to represent or arrange your data. So next time, you can use some of these popular infographic styles to easily convey your information.
You can even animate these infographics to make interesting videos like motion graphics animation. It can come in handy especially for explainer videos. Did you know that you can create responsive infographics in After Effects?
Here at webdew, we have a great team of experienced graphic designers to design your infographic. Contact us for more details.
Editor: Amrutha
