Published on February 10, 2015 | by Andi Mortenson

Creating Infographics

Infographics can be an effective way to introduce a subject to a new audience by clearly visualizing data to be easily digestible. They are easily shareable in social media, and can create a buzz for you to elevate your brand, and attract new followers. When designing an infographic it is important to have a clearly defined message from the start. They are particularly useful when the subject matter is dense, such as a series of statistics, or when explaining an abstract concept.

Challenges

One of the main challenges we encounter when designing an infographic is processing the sheer volume of information. Infographics are a fun, easy way to portray information, but the most important aspect is to know what we’re trying to communicate. This is where we work very closely with the client to ensure that the information we are using best illustrates the message they want to send. It’s very easy to overwhelm people by wanting to include more information than is strictly relevant. Often times peripheral information can be used to create contextual frame for the information. However, more often than not, it can be distracting.

Know your Audience

As with any design piece that we create, it is vital to recognize your audience in the process. Just because the company next door has produced an infographic, doesn’t mean that you should. If you’re considering an infographic, ask yourself these questions: What am I trying to communicate? Is an infographic the best way to reach my audience? What should the infographic achieve? What will my audience take away from the piece? Likewise, decisions as to colour palette, written tone and spacing need to consider the audience and the existing brand.

Case Study

At the beginning of the Vancouver Giants 2013-14 season we produced an infographic (below) to show where the team fits within the league. In addition, to communicate long term organizational goals. We continued the “Champions Under Construction” creative theme throughout, using a blueprint theme to frame the plans for the team. The first example, below, did in fact create a buzz and was ‘trending’ on Twitter due to the number of views and shares it received.

Additionally, we produced a series of infographics for the Vancouver Giants summarizing quarterly standings and statistics, which followed the same graphic standards and themes.