Infographics are visual presentations of information, data, or knowledge that are intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. They use visual elements like charts, graphs, maps, illustrations, and other graphic elements to communicate key information and data in a way that is more engaging and memorable than pure text. A study shows that People are 80% more likely to read and remember information presented in an infographic format.
Infographics have become an extremely popular and effective way to communicate in business, education, journalism, and many other fields. But what exactly are infographics, and what makes them such a powerful communication tool? Keep reading to learn more about the definition, history, and reasons why they are so important.
The History of Infographics
The use of infographics dates back hundreds of years. Primitive infographics such as maps, diagrams, and charts have been used for centuries to convey information visually. In the 18th and 19th centuries, infographics gained popularity as new printing methods enabled the mass production of informational graphics.
The term “infographic” itself first appeared in the 1970s and referred to graphics used by media outlets to explain complicated news stories. USA Today helped popularize modern infographics in the 1980s and 1990s by using them extensively to visualize news, statistics, weather, and more.
With the internet’s arrival, infographics took off online as an effective way to communicate data. Their use has skyrocketed in the digital age thanks to better design tools and the ability to share them virally on social media.
Types of Infographics
Many types and styles of infographics are used to communicate all kinds of information. Some of the most popular infographic types and styles include:
- Statistical Infographics – Use charts, graphs, and visualizations to represent statistical data, trends, and insights. Bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and scatter plots are common examples.
- Timeline Infographics – Use a timeline sequence to represent chronological order and history. Can be historical timelines or progress timelines like for a business.
- How-To Infographics / Process Flows – Illustrate a step-by-step process or workflow from start to finish. Often use numbered steps and flowchart elements.
- Maps / Locational Infographics – Use maps to communicate location-based information and geographic patterns. Heat maps, route maps, and choropleths show information tied to geography.
- Comparison Infographics – Allow easy side-by-side comparisons of two or more items, competitors, options, etc using visual representations.
- Hierarchical Infographics – Convey the relationship between parts of a whole using tree diagrams, circular hierarchies, pyramid diagrams and more.
- Photo Infographics – Tell a story or communicate information using a series or collage of photographs with minimal text.
There are no limits on the styles, themes, and formats infographics can take. The key is to use appropriate visuals that clarify and enhance the information you want to communicate.
10 Reasons Why Infographics Are Important
Infographics have become an indispensable tool for communicating information visually. Here are 10 key reasons infographics are so effective and important in both online content and presentations:
1. Infographics Make Information More Appealing
Infographics grab attention through eye-catching data visualizations, illustrations, icons and graphics. This increased visual appeal engages audiences better than text alone. For example, one study by Venngage showed infographics are liked and shared on social media 3x more than other content. Presentations also benefit from aesthetically pleasing infographics over text-heavy slides.
2. Show Valuable Ideas and Insights
Infographics highlight key statistics, trends, insights, and takeaways through the smart use of bold fonts, color coding, arrows, and diagrammed relationships. This allows important concepts to stand out instead of getting lost in paragraphs of text. Presenters can use infographics to emphasize main points.
3. Infographics Are Attention-Grabbing
In our information overloaded world, infographics cut through the noise with striking visuals that capture focus. Eye-tracking studies show viewers engage with infographics in as little as 2.5 seconds. The visual nature commands attention, making infographics ideal for social media posts or title slides meant to draw in audiences.
4. Infographics Are Easier to Understand
Infographics simplify complex ideas, processes, statistics, and concepts into digestible visual formats. Charts, flowcharts, and diagrams illustrate relationships better than text descriptions. Presenters leverage infographics to explain complicated information clearly in a short time period.
5. Infographics Lessen the Need for Dense Text
The use of data visualizations, graphs, maps, and timelines in infographics minimizes the need for long blocks of text. The variety of graphics and illustrations complement and condense the textual information. This improves comprehension while keeping audiences engaged by not overwhelming them with big chunks of copy.
6. Improve Decision-Making
The data-rich visualizations in infographics help audiences spot patterns, trends, and outliers quickly. Viewers can glean multiple insights at a glance. This facilitates better-informed, fact-based decision making. Managers often rely on infographics to provide key performance indicators.
7. Increase Content Exposure
Infographics’ highly shareable visual nature gives content more exposure opportunities. Studies show infographic content attracts 3X more social shares than other formats. The eye-catching graphics encourage audiences to share, increasing visibility and reach.
8. Simplify Complex Data
One of the most valuable aspects of infographics is simplifying convoluted data sets into intuitive visualizations. Complex numerical information like statistics, finances, surveys, experiments, etc. become easily graspable when translated into charts, graphs, and maps.
9. Help Increase Memorability
Human brains recall visual information better than text. Infographics optimize our visual memory capabilities through the strategic use of color, shapes, layouts, and symbolic visuals. Information presented in infographic format is remembered up to 80% longer.
10. Lend Authority to Facts
Audiences perceive infographics as more authoritative, credible, and persuasive than text alone. Data visualized in graphs, maps, and diagrams feel concrete and validated. Infographics are an optimal way to present research findings, statistics, and other hard facts.
Conclusion
Infographics help simplify complex information through impactful visual storytelling. By representing data and concepts graphically, key insights and takeaways can be communicated in more memorable and shareable ways.
When designed effectively with the audience and purpose in mind, infographics unlock opportunities to educate, engage, enlighten, and persuade. They visualize both small and large concepts in ways that resonate deeply with audiences. Across countless sectors and applications, infographics have become an indispensable communication tool for conveying information in a fast-paced, data-driven world.