Creating Infographics

What are infographics? They blend text and images to convey information

visually —illustrating facts with charts, map or diagrams.

Once considered optional, they are now considered mandatory for effective publication design. Carve complicated material into bite-sized chunks. Offer attractive alternatives to gray text. Add reader appeal

Main types of infographics Fast facts Bio boxes Lists Checklists Q & A’s Surveys and Polls Charts and graphs Tables Timelines Maps

Fast facts Distill the who-what-

when-where-why of a story into a concise package.

Introduce basic facts without slowing down the text.

Provide supplemental information

Bio boxes Allows you to quickly

profile any person, place or thing.

Can stick or the basic who-what-where-when-why

Or they can spin off into specialized tangents.

Lists Can be used to itemize

tips, trends, winners, warnings and more.

Checklists Like lists,

but are more interactive

Try to make information as accessible and relevant as possible.

Q & A’s Help to capture the spirit

of an interview, making you feel as if you’re eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation

Surveys and Polls

Charts & Graphs When math gets heavy, charts and graphs come in

handy. They present numerical data in a simple, visual way. The simpler, the better.

The Bar Chart Compares two or more items

by sizing them as columns parked side by side.

Uses two basic components: A scale running either

horizontally or vertically showing data totals

Bars extending in the same direction representing the items being measured.

Fever or Line Charts Measures changing quantities

over time. Three components:

A scale running vertically along one edge, measuring amounts

A scale running horizontally along the bottom, measuring time

A jagged line connecting a series of points, showing rising or falling trends.

Pie charts Compares the parts that

make up a whole. Consists of

A circle that represents 100% of something

Several wedges that divide the circle into smaller percentages. Each “slice” is an accurate proportion.

Tables Half text, half chart Stack words and numbers in

rows to let readers make side-by-side comparisons.

Usually consist of: Headings running horizontally

across the top of the chart Categories running vertically

down the left side Lists grouped in columns

reading both across and down.

Timelines Put topics in perspective

by illustrating, step by step, how events unfolded.

Maps Keep maps simple Keep north pointing “up.” Add mileage scales whenever

possible Use type consistently

Don’t use type smaller than 8 point.

Decide where you’ll use all caps, italics, boldface

Guidelines to designing infographics Include the following elements:

A headline or title A credit line listing the source(s) of data or information Consistent type styles and sizes Text type 8 points or larger Label every line, number, circle and bar Strive for simplicity

Is this simple? Excessive slices that are

hard to tell apart Use of separate key to

show percentages, rather than labeling or pointing to each individual pie slice

Lastly, edit carefully Check all the totals,

percentages, year Check spelling Check grammar Check details: Do they

match what is in the story?

Sources Copy Editors Handbook for Newspapers The Newspaper Designer’s Handbook, by Tim

Harrower