5 easy steps to create an effective infographic

Do you want more engagement under your posts? Do you want to be able to convey information effectively, quickly and clearly? If so, we highly recommend creating an infographic - a graphic visual representation of data or knowledge - using the motto "show, don't tell".

So how to create an effective infographic? Follow these 5 easy steps!

1. Determine the goal of your infographic.

Before you start worrying about the graphic design and layout you need to think why you are creating your infographic in the first place. The goal of each infographic is not solely to look well designed and appealing, but foremost to deliver the information the audience needs. Outline a clear and complete communication goal - what is the core information you are going to offer to your audience. Then you can work on some supplementary questions that will help you decide on what to include in your graphic. 

Outlining your goal, remember to consider the target audience for your infographic. For example, targeting your infographic to beginners you should include more basic data, while when creating for more advanced users it might not be necessary. 

2. Gather data for your infographic.

Now it's time to collect data for your infographic. Do you have your own data? Great, you can move straight to the 3rd step! If not, do not worry, there is plenty of information available on the Internet. Be sure to properly cite your sources though! 

Remember you have to find answers to all of the supplementary questions you came up with while preparing the goal of your work, and keep in mind the target audience you determined.

3. Decide on the right visualisation of your data

Having answers to all the questions you asked in a step one it's time to decide on the best visualisation of your data. 

There are several different options on how to structure your infographic. Decide on what you wish to emphasise in your graphic and choose a design accordingly.

• Side by side layout - can be used for example to compare two or more different concepts.

source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/291115563394250032/

• Flowchart infographic - a very helpful way to show a linear or cyclical process, or consecutive steps of a process.

source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/447897125441904737/

• Timeline infographic - this design can be used to tell a chronological story.

source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/621778292289270569/

• Graph-based infographic - the best way to publish data and statistical information.

source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/506443920574967542/

• Image-heavy infographic - suitable for those who want to illustrate information with shapes, designs and photos.

source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/560416747377786113/

Those types can, of course, be mixed together, for instance to compare the ratio of vegetarians to meat-eaters in two different countries you could use a side by side layout of graphs. 

4. Structure your data

• Write a short and snappy headline. It should state what the reader will gain from reading your infographic aka the goal of your infographic you determined in the first step. You can also consider writing a short introduction but it's not necessary.
• Using the supplementary questions (you also determined in the first step) create a story your viewer would follow - decide on the sequence of presenting your data.
• Remember the natural way people read the information is left to right, top to bottom - it would be wise to take it into account while designing.
• Don't forget to describe everything properly and include subheadings if necessary, make sure readers know what they are looking at.
• Don't overload your graphic with text. People want to see the data, not read them.

5. Choose the right program for creating your infographic.

There is plenty of tools available online that would help you create your own infographic in an easy and effortless way, for instance:

• Canva - includes hundreds of varied templates and an extensive graphic library. It's very intuitive and easy to use.
• Visme - it is definitely less varied than other programs but it's easy to use. More suitable for longer designs. Will watermark your work if you're a free user. 
• Venngage - one of the best infographic designing program and beyond easy to use. However it won't allow you to download your work unless you are a paid member. 
• Piktochart - a very pleasant basic tool with straightforward dashboard. Unless you are a paid user it will watermark your creation.
• Easel.ly - one of the more basic infographic tools, providing some bare essentials to create an infographic. It is, however, a very cheap tool, costing only 3$ a month.

See the previous article here.