Infographic
Composition & Layout & The Function of the Infographic
Infographics work because that’s how our brains work. Visuals attract our attention and help us retain information easier. Infographics have such an effect on us they impact what we buy and what sites we visit (that’s good for brands).
INFOGRAPHIC Assignment:
You will be creating an infographic to explain, convince, or inform your viewers about something you think is important or interesting.
Use your sketchbook for the following:
1. Process Your Data
What is your infographic about (generally)?
IDEAS: Potatoes
Kobe
Cigarettes
Homework
2. Set the Tone
What is the tone of your infographic?
Be sure the voice of your infographic matches the subject matter. If it’s serious, be serious. If it’s lighthearted, be lighthearted (you get the picture)- infographics are all about being easy to understand.
Funny Infographics HERE Serious Infographics HERE
3. Have a Story & FACTS (collect facts & data!)
What is your message to the viewer about this thing?
IDEAS: Potatoes are the greatest food EVER - recipes, types, consumer information
Kobe is better than Jordan - game point avg, community outreach
Cigarettes should be banned - deaths per year, poisons/carcenogens
Homework should be illegal - anxiety, time use, not necessarily helpful
Etc.
4. Check Your Sources
Where are you getting your information? (images and info!)
Make sure all of the information & images make sense together and are usable.
What information is necessary to give a full picture of your idea/message?
5. Pictures/Graphics
What images will you use? Look up different versions of images and infographics to get an idea.
In you sketchbook, draw out ALL images that could represent your information. Take your time!! (Quality!!)
Utilize illustrations, charts, icons, and graphics as much as you can; but KEEP IT SIMPLE.
**If you want to use a graph, click HERE to create your own!**
6. Text/Font
What font works the best with your information?
Make sure the typefaces (fonts) complement each other as well as the graphics you’re using. Type should never detract from your visuals. Make sure to think about heirarchy and complimentary texts.
7. Color (2-5 total)
What colors are going to be the best for your inforgraphic's tone and message?
Determine a color palette that works. Sticking with three colors is a good rule. If you need more, add shades (darker) and tints (lighter) of the ones you’re working with.
Color scheme generator HERE
Ideas for color schemes HERE
**Have Mrs. Yelenick check your notebook page before moving on to the sketch**
NOW...
8. Create a Rough draft sketch (FULL page drawing) of your composition
Consider your Principles of Design! What is your design focus?
Laying out where everything will go in advance (including text and images) will save you time and frustration. Using a rough draft sketch will allow you to see if everything flows nicely and makes sense.
You will be making this in your sketchbook.
Consider your Layout and Composition- remember the video?
Try to get creative. You can show information in all kinds of ways, like diagrams, pie charts, flow charts, and maps (really the list goes on and on).
Ideas for compositions HERE
Utilize White Space
It is important to let the information breathe. The more white space the less the viewer feels overwhelmed. Don’t overcrowd. Stay organized and it will make a cleaner design, which is more approachable and easier to follow.
Examples of white space HERE
Beware of TMI
Information overload is overwhelming. Don’t put in anything unnecessary. Try 6-8 main points at most.
**Have Mrs. Yelenick check your sketch image before moving on to PhotoShop**
Example Sketch:
**Have Mrs. Yelenick check your sketch image before moving on to PhotoShop**
9. Open Photopea
Open a new document in PhotoShop with the dimensions:
Lastname_Infographic
8in x 10in (portrait) OR 10in x 8 in (landscape)
Transparent
10. Create your Infographic
Using your worksheet notes and sketchbook drawing, create your infographic in PhotoShop.
(In process...)
11. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Did I say proofread? Everyone makes mistakes, we’re only human. However, if you don’t check over your work and it’s published, you'll look foolish.
12. Test Along the Way
Ask your peers what they think while it is in the works. If only you understand what it’s saying, it’s not doing the job of infographic very well (gallery walk). Make changes as they’re needed when they’re brought to your attention (gallery walk).
13. Upload the image onto your website, on a page called "Infographic".
Save your final image as a JPEG:
(File>Export As...>JPG>SAVE)
Insert the image onto your chosen webpage of your site.
Beneath your image, write 2-3 sentences about it explaining what it is, why you choce that topic, etc.
14. Turn in to Google Classroom
15. Fill out the rubric and turn in to Mrs. Yelenick WITH original sketch in your sketchbook.
16. Have Mrs. Yelenick print out your image
17. Cut out NICELY, glue onto black paper, & write name in the bottom right corner. TURN IN HARD COPY.
Examples:
