Task Force Recommendations
!["Image courtesy of [Master isolated images] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net".](http://lgimages.s3.amazonaws.com/data/imagemanager/79164/id-100192673_1_.jpg)
What do we think you should keep in mind?
Recommendation 1: Keep in mind,and incorperate the 3 basics of communication when designing an Infographic . 1) Appeal 2) Comprehension 3) Retention. Infographics are about a changing data into knowledge in a palatable format.
Recommendation 2: Brush up on design 'rules', ask for feedback and take it, a poorly designed or executed infographic can be worse for your image than not doing one at all.
Recommendation 3: Cite your sources! Keep your data credible by adding the 'whole story' to your distilled format.
Top Resources: Documents
- More Than Words Can Say: InfographicsA document by Jane Krauss anout some Infographic basics. Tailored to students learning about Infographics but very handy and including links for additional resources
- Infographics: Guide & RecommendationsFrom the GDS: incl. examples of good and bad designs
Top Resources: Links
- Easel.ly: Online Infographic CreatorAn open-source infographic creation site. Works with Firefox, Chrome and Safari
- FreedigitalphotosExactly what it says: you can search thousands of images that can be used royalty free (as long as you cite it: not a problem for Librarians!)
- Gliffy: Online Diagram & Flowchart CreatorCreate flowcharts and diagrams for free, or use to create simple graphics for a larger infographic. Must create an account and supported in Firefox or Chrome, not IE.
- iCharts: Online Chart Creatorfree, customizable charts from user-inputted data sets. Requires registration, works on IE.
- Inkscape: Free Graphics SoftwareSOmething akin to Photoshop but free!
- Wikipedia: What is an Infographic?Find out more about this new tool to deliver data!
Image credits
Figure with Checkmark: Image courtesy of [Master isolated images] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Infographic of Infographics: Image courtesy of Ivan Cash http://bit.ly/zIPIrp
What is this?
This section is dedicated to communicating the Library's value through infographics, including:
- What's an Infographic
- Example: Infographic of Infographics
- More Examples
- Top Resources: Documents
- Top Resources: Links - incl. free infographic tools and graphic sites!
What's an Infographic?
Infographics are a method to communicate information through the use of graphics with minimal text, and may also be commonly referred to as 'data visualization'. They can help distill and simplify complex data or information into a more palatable, fun and aesthetically pleasing format.
Although not a new concept, new open-source tools and social media have made using them very popular. Though infographics can facilitate understanding many levels of data and information in just a few images, they can also be overused or misused. It is easy to 'skew' the story with an infographic. My mother always used to say "Figires don't lie, but liars can figure" meaning though the chart or graph may be 'technically' true, the author can easily have manipulated it by withholding the whole story contained within the larger data set. It's therfore very important to still cite or reference the various parts of an infographic.
In a nutshell: Infographics are a method to translate data into knowledge via a visual 'story'
Want more background? Check out Piktochart's interactive tutorial on Infographic basics
Give Me an Example!
Give Me More Examples!
- HSICT Mobile Taskforce Infographics 2013Created by Pam Richards for the HSICT Mobile Devices Taskforce outcomes in 2013
- PPDay 2013 Presentation: Ana Jeremic & Jeanna HoughA quick comparison infographic of two community teaching hospital Libraries
A great example of using infographics to relay a large amount of health information/data is the Snake Oil Supplements? Infographic from Information is Beautiful. Check out their site for more incredible infographics.
Want something more homegrown? Check out some of the Infographics done by the HSICT below!