New Brief - Infographics

Infographics

Infographics are visual presentations intended to communicate complex information quickly and clearly. The devices include, charts, diagrams, graphs, tables, maps, icons and lists. The basic material of an infographic is the data, information, or knowledge that the graphic presents. Most Infographics are fun to read and provide valuable information.

History of Infographics

Infographics have been used throughout history. The first known examples of infographics are hieroglyphics or cave paintings in ancient Egypt 5,000 years ago.

The Commercial and Political Atlas, published in 1786 by William Playfair, was the first example of modern infographics. Otto Neurath was then famously known to have attempted to create a language without words, an endeavor that developed into the Isotype movement (International System of Typographic Picture Education). Early adapters of infographics in the US include Fortune magazine, the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times.

Types of Infographics

Cause and Effect Infographics
These graphs explain causal relationships between various physical or conceptual stages; for example, the causes of the recession in the US and its effect on the global economy.

Chronological Infographics
Chronological infographics explain an event or process as it happened in time. Presenting information on a timeline enables readers to analyze the temporal relationship between various stages of a process.

Quantitative Infographics
Quantitative infographics convey statistical data to readers quickly and clearly. These graphics include charts, bar graphs, tables and lists.

Directional Infographics
Infographics can navigate readers through information. Numbers, symbols, icons, diagrams, graphs, tables, arrows and bullets are used to communicate information.

Product Infographics
Product infographics can be seen on notice boards at factories and corporate offices, conveying information to all employees and visitors. Product infographics are also used by dieticians and in cooking schools to convey key procedures. Combining images with data makes it easier to comprehend large amounts of information in a limited space.