

The other is a dynamic map and timeline showing the westward expansion of the United States in real time. states color-coded by the date they joined the Union. states by date of statehood” contains two well-designed infographics. In the past decade, with the rise of the social Web, searches for infographics have exploded.
#Infographic chart software#
As software became more common, it was easier to design charts and graphics that were educational, and also fun. The infographic as we know it took shape in the 1990s. Urban planners also used them to create better maps, as shown by this early London Underground map which makes use of color coding. They often illustrated problems in social science and politics, such as the proportion of war casualties from different causes. In the 1800s, designers started combining maps and charts in innovative ways. Images and text have been combined for centuries to present information more succinctly. If you're looking for an intuitive canvas for designing infographics, try Lucidchart! Here's an infographic we made to help people decide which pair of Nike shoes to wear: You can make an infographic in any medium-by hand, with specialized software, or online. They combine the visual appeal of images and diagrams with the educational qualities of facts and figures. Check facts and make sure to cite sources to increase credibility.Infographics have recently seen a huge uptick in popularity.Make sure your font is readable and people don't have to strain their eyes trying to read the headlines.Are you appealing to teens or luxury car buyers? Make sure the design matches your audience.Don't make the image too long or large.Provide in-depth information your audience may not be able to get elsewhere.Share fascinating, attention-grabbing facts.Use humor, if possible and appropriate.Stick to a harmonious color palette and a similar style in all your graphs.It should be effortless and easy to grasp at a glance. Reading an infographic shouldn't be a challenge. Don't just share statistics because you have them. Make sure the infographic is focused on one big idea, or perhaps a powerful or interesting statement.

You can also add charts, maps, timelines and more.
#Infographic chart how to#
Here's a quick overview video of how to make an infographic in SmartDraw. You can drag and drop professionally-designed graphics, add text, add your own logo or photos. SmartDraw provides dozens of templates and examples to help you get started, even if you're not a designer. When done well, infographics are easy to access, understand, and share. They attract attention and shares better than any other type of content marketing. Infographics drive traffic, help build links, and raise brand awareness. Many marketers use infographics to generate social media buzz and excitement. Infographics can effectively replace boring reports and walls of text. They tell stories at a glance and are easy to understand. Many businesses use infographics to attract potential customers, newspapers use them to communicate complex data visually, and educators use infographics to engage students and capture short attention spans.ĭata presented visually is often easier to understand than text-heavy articles and case studies. This Google graph shows the increased use of the word in print from the 1960s to present day. This page taken from the Catalog of Copyright Entries by the Library of Congress in 1963 might be earliest use of the word in print. The word is a blend of the words information and graphic first used in the 1960s. Where Does the Word Infographic Come From? In some cases, infographics can also be animated and interactive. Some people have even created their resumes as infographics to catch the attention of prospective employers.Ī distinguishing feature of a modern infographic is that it looks polished and well-designed. Recently, the term has come to mean a specific type of visual that often contains a collection of different charts and graphs centered on a single topic or message such as habits of coffee drinkers in the US or trends in the auto industry. A map and a weather forecast are both types of infographics. In some ways, any chart or diagram could be labeled an infographic. Infographics are visual representations of data and information.
