This graphic shows how the skills needed to produce high standard are progressively developed from step one through to progression step five. Use this when planning activities to ensure that progression in skills and the appropriate level of challenge are central to any task.

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🪧 Infographics

Infographics are a method of presenting information that relies on their visual appeal to capture the attention of the audience. They combine colours, images and graphics with information in the form of text or data representations to share information effectively. Learners can create an infographic for almost any context and be used to present information for a variety of purposes: marketing, present findings, raise awareness, give advice, set instructions, reinforce knowledge etc. Infographics are widely used by many industries to target a specific audience and can be seen used extensively on social media to advertise products and services. Planning, creating and using infographics will allow learners to creatively use and develop key design principles that will make their communication more effective and efficient through the use of digital technologies.

⭐ BE CREATIVE!

There are plenty of templates available when creating infographics, but bear in mind that the end goal is for learners to generate creative and original content.

⭐ CONTEXTS!

Infographics can be used in almost all context of the curriculum. Ensure that learners know this and that they take advantage of the opportunities to present information in this form.

⭐ BRANDING!

When creating any type of graphic there will be opportunities to discuss branding through the use of certain design principles. Take advantage of these opportunities and raise awareness of it's power.

⭐ AUDIENCE!

Every infographic will have a target audience. Ensure that learners take this into account during the planning phases.

⭐ MARKETING!

Infographics are used as a powerful marketing tool. Take a look at what is produced in the real world and use this to raise awareness of techniques and styles that are successful.

Suggestions 🔎

JiT5

j2Create

Adobe Express

Freeform

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Canva

Here are some applications and software that you can use to develop infographics skills. These are a small selection - there are MANY more available. It is essential that you select the applications and software that is suitably matched to the learner's stage and that each learner experiences a range of these applications as they apply and develop their digital skills.

PS1 - Basic images

What does good look like?

Pupils can use basic image and graphic software to place images within a workspace. They begin to pay attention to the proportions within their workspace and adjust images and graphics accordingly i.e. if using an image of a mouse and a cat, the cat would be bigger than the mouse. Pupils begin to experiment with bold and bright colours, simple fonts and image / text positioning to create simple graphics.

How about...

Create a graphic to advertise a certain story using basic software such as JiT or Adobe Express (on an iPad).

⭐ Skills ⭐

Positioning

Move images and graphical elements (text box or image) into specific positions within the workspace.

Proportions and sizing

Adjust the size of the graphical elements to be proportionally aware.

Colours

Choose appropriate colours to draw attention to the graphic.

PS2 - Key design principles

What does good look like?

Pupils combine graphics, images and information with growing awareness of key design principles such as balance, emphasis / hierarchy and contrast. Graphics are created for a specific audience and are able to transfer key messages effectively through effective use of colours, typeset and basic software features.

How about...

Healthy eating - top tips for eating healthy

Create instructions for key health and wellbeing procedures such as brushing teeth etc.

Present information/findings from research/investigations etc.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Emphasis / Hierarchy

Emphasise key messages through placement and proportions to ensure clarity and purpose.

Contrast

Use colours, fonts and backgrounds to create visually appealing infographics.

Presentation

Use key software features effectively to create original graphics.

Communication

Use concise language that is balanced well with other visual features such as images, icons and graphics.

PS3 - Growing quality

What does good look like?

Pupils demonstrate a good understanding of key design principles such as contrast, hierarchy, repetition, pattern and unity, and are able to create graphics or infographics for a variety of purposes e.g. marketing, branding, sharing knowledge etc. The standard and presentation of their infographics lead to emphasis of key messages. Pupils’ are able to plan their use of graphics by defining the dimensions of their graphics and discussing the appropriate methods of sharing i.e. social media platforms, websites etc. to target specific audiences.

How about...

Historical timeline - Timeline of key events during a specific time period.

Enterprise - persuasive documents to sell a product/idea.

Present statistical data.

Persuasive documents for a variety of purposes.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Planning

Identify target audience and specific features within the graphic such as key information, dimensions and sharing opportunities.

Design principles

Good application of key design principles to create suitable, visually appealing infographics.

Communication

Effective use of language and headings to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Citizenship

Discuss ownership and digital rights as well as image and reputation implications.

Evaluation

Identify effective features of infographics and suggest improvements to their own work.

PS4 - Increasing complexity

What does good look like?

Pupils demonstrate a good understanding of key design principles such as contrast, hierarchy, repetition, pattern and unity, and are able to progress independently to create graphics or infographics for a variety of purposes e.g. marketing, branding, sharing knowledge etc. The standard and presentation of their infographics lead to emphasis of key messages. Pupils’ are able to plan in detail their use of graphics by defining the dimensions of their graphics and discussing the appropriate methods of sharing i.e. social media platforms, websites etc. to target specific audiences. They explore and use effective image manipulation techniques to enhance the layout of their infographic and make good use of master pages or templates when appropriate. They independently source a range of information using complex search techniques and evaluate the reliability of the sources. The end product is suitable for it’s audience and purpose and the pupils are able to give clear justification on the choices of medium and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the outputs they have created. They are able to suggest and make improvements that are relevant for the audience and purpose of the outputs based on the feedback and self-evaluation of the digital work.

How about...

Infographic to display findings from a personal investigation project

Revision infographic for a subject using Adobe Creative Cloud (Full or Express)

Create an infographic to outline a climate change issue e.g. Microplastics, fossil fuels etc.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Planning

Independently identify the target audience and specific features within the graphic such as key information, dimensions and sharing opportunities.

Design principles

Explore and effectively implement the application of key design principles to create suitable, visually appealing infographics and make use appropriate image manipulation techniques. Use design tools such as master templates to adapt themes and colours to suit the purpose of the infographic.

Communication

Explore and develop a range of formal text and effective use of language and headings to communicate effectively and efficiently for different audiences and purposes.

Citizenship

Discuss and understand ownership and digital rights as well as image and reputation implications and can explain the legal and ethical dimensions of respecting creative work.

Evaluation

Identify effective features of infographics and suggest improvements that are relevant for the intended audience and purpose to their own work.

PS5 - Perfecting infographics

What does good look like?

Pupils demonstrate with increasing complexity a good understanding of key design principles such as contrast, hierarchy, repetition, pattern and unity, and are able to progress independently to create graphics or infographics for a variety of purposes e.g. marketing, branding, sharing knowledge etc. The standard and presentation of their infographics lead to emphasis of key messages. Pupils’ are able to plan in detail their use of graphics by defining the dimensions of their graphics and discussing the appropriate methods of sharing i.e. social media platforms, websites etc. to target specific audiences. They consider the benefits and limitations of digital design schools and information source to ensure they are the best possible quality for the audience and purpose. They explore and use effective image manipulation techniques to enhance the layout of their infographic and make good use of master pages or templates when appropriate. The end product is suitable for it’s audience and purpose and the pupils are able to give clear justification on the choices of medium and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the outputs they have created. They are able to suggest and critically justify feedback and make improvements themselves and from others by incorporating the use of collaborative review tools into the activity that are relevant for the audience and purpose of the outputs based on the feedback and self-evaluation of the digital work.

How about...

Infographic to display findings from a personal investigation project - great progression to end of degree style infographic to show findings.

Revision infographic for a subject

Technology / Art or Textiles end of project infographic.

Use infographics to present information appropriately on any topic across all areas of learning and experience.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Planning

Independently and with increasing complexity they identify the target audience and specific features within the graphic such as key information, dimensions and sharing opportunities.

Communication

Explore and develop a range of formal text and effective use of language and headings to communicate effectively and efficiently for different audiences and purposes and incorporating the use of collaborative review tools in the activities.

Evaluation

Critically evaluate the work and justify reasoning in terms of effective features of infographics and suggest improvements that are relevant for the intended audience and purpose to their own work.

Design principles

Explore and effectively implement the application of key design principles to create suitable, visually appealing infographics and make use appropriate image manipulation techniques. With increasing complexity use a range of design tools and software packages with features within them such as master templates to adapt themes and colours to suit the purpose of the infographic.

Citizenship

Understand and think critically on the individuals rights and responsibilities as creators and ownership and digital rights as well as image and reputation implications and can explain the legal and ethical dimensions of respecting creative work.