Infographic

• clarity and conciseness
• ability to make sense of complex information
• focus on key information
• engagement
• ease of remembering.

This type of visual representation is used worldwide in every discipline and many examples can be found in our everyday environment, from street signs and underground maps, to weather charts and newspaper articles.^[1]

Types of Infographics

Traditionally, visualizations have included charts, maps or diagrams. Nowadays, infographics implement these elements with a creative and imaginative use of colorful icons and illustrations. There are several inspiring types of infographics; below are listed some of the most popular formats accessible online.

• Timelines ^[2]
• Flowcharts^[3]
• Annotated maps^[4]
• Pie and line charts ^[5]
• Diagrams (Venn, networks) ^[6]
• Size comparisons ^[7]
• Typographic (where typefaces are used to create an image) ^[8]

Overview of online tools for creating infographics

Users can create infographics based on available templates, icons and pictures with the possibility to publish, preview, share and download their content. Really interesting is the feature which allows to add interactive elements as quiz, poll and forms.

Paid version: With the Premium or Business plan users can also export their creative content in PNG, PNG HD and interactive PDF.

Paid version: contains a high-quality range of templates and customizable elements; features a Drag-and-drop system that lets users easily insert images, icons, charts and graphics.

Paid version: members can upload their own data.

Free online version: it offers a limited number of diagrams, users and collaborators. Paid online version: it allows group of people working on unlimited diagrams and projects.

Paid versions: more services are available, as unlimited shared folders and editors.

How to design an effective infographic

When you are going to design your own infographic, keep in mind that your first aim is to make the ideas that you want to spread simple - understandable by anyone, even a child - and attractive. In other words, your infographic will fulfill its purpose when the reader is compelled to print and use it as a visual guide that can be easily consulted.

The points below might be used as a simple parameter to remember while designing infographics.

• Select a question you want to answer and get to the point

This is the first step. The more time you spend on this part, the visualization you will end up with will be more engaging and imaginative. As you are telling a story, the best way to start is by displaying the crucial question right at the top. It will help you to define your goal, to attract attention and to create an effect of suspense.

• Organize information

Collect and verify data that you need and then distill it to a few essential points. The content must be well-organized to help and guide the readers to get the point of your message. Don’t let your readers say “I’ve been wasting my time reading this!”.

• Make it simple

Simplification is a matter of knowing who exactly your target audience is. Imagining your public reading your infographic is a way to interpret their needs.

• Represent your ideas combining text with colors, illustrations, icons or charts

How your infographic finally looks depends on your creativity; the more attractive and dynamic it is, the more memorable your message will be. Playing with colors is the first way for authors to guide their readers effectively, making them more focused on the object; see different colour combinations on Kuler ^[9]. Moreover, try to combine single concepts with typography, illustrations, images, charts, diagrams or icons: these visual clues are helpful not only in catching attention but also in representing causes and effects, emphasizing concepts, comparing elements or showing hierarchy between elements.

Using infographics for e-Learning: showing rather than telling

There are many parallels between infographic design and E-Learning: understanding more about visual communication should be helpful for building a better e-Learning environment. First of all they are both based on the concept of showing information in a visual medium, selecting the most relevant concepts and focusing on key points and essential information. The more you view graphics and animations as equal players in your e-Learning designs, the better equipped you’ll be for developing more engaging courses. Listed below are some relevant points to integrate ideas from infographics into e-Learning. ^[10]

• Focused information

How can you apply what you see in the infographics to your e-Learning courses? Instead of writing a title on the screen with a list of bullet points, write a single sentence that makes the point. Use that sentence to guide the visualization of the information.

• Data visualization

We know that the key point of infographics is the data. So instead of explaining it through many words, let the data convey the information. Converting the data into illustrations, you can give the images the power to do what words alone cannot.

• Color scheme

Most infographics use colors and elements that show up on the screen. These techniques also work with e-Learning screens. In fact, you should start by finding an infographic you like and then replicating the layout on the e-Learning course screen. That will give you some practice playing with layout and colors. While you may never design an infographic, making it a habit to review them is a worthwhile pursuit that can inspire your own e-Learning course design.

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