Deconstructing Infographics

Infographics utilize three general components:

Content

[facts, data, statistics]

Visual

[colour, typography, graphic]

Knowledge

[insight, perspective]

Infographics also generally use two types of data:

Quantitative

This data reflects concrete and measurable facts.

Infographic titled "Big Thinkers" showcasing a variety of animals and thier brain sizes.
Image by Nicholas Blechman from Guardian Data Blog

Qualitative

This data reflects a preference, opinion, or emotion.

Infographic featuring astrological star signs associated with dog attributes.
Image from Pet Health Zone

There are several different types of infographics

Your infographic could stick to one type or incorporate several.

Types of infographics

Looking for more?

Watch this video to explore these types of infographics in more detail and to discover variations.

Transcript:

Infographics are everywhere...

Whether it's nestled within your social media feed or plastered on a large billboard by the highway, we are consuming more and more information through infographics.

Where do we see infographics?

Multiple Mediums

While it is fair to say that most infographics are created in computer applications, there are alternative formats to use and incorporate:

Hand-drawn inforgraphic showing the differnece between student debt and the cost of tax cuts.

Drawing

If you enjoy drawing you may want to experiment with hand-drawn infographics like as this one by Guardian data-editor, Mona Chalabi.

Photograph of hands holding a cable at various heights imitating a graph and representing data.

Photography

Photography is an excellent medium for demonstrating relationships of colour, size, distance, and time. Austrian photographer Marion Luttenberg created a series of stunning photographic infographics for Caritas Kontaktladen, an Austrian charity.

Photographs of Lego bricks in a pile, then sorted, then arranged.

Objects

Use objects around you as inspiration for your infographic or, as in this example by Hot Butter Studio, as the building blocks of your image (found via http://www.bethkanter.org).

Icons by Smashicon at Flaticon