The ever-growing connectivity of information transfer means we're constantly browsing graphic designs. Presentations, articles, thought pieces, advertisements, and even internal communications have become an increasingly visual medium. Digging through the overwhelming media mine can be quite an undertaking for information clients! Make sure your infographics stand out as diamonds among all rocks.
Delivering crisp, informative visual media is integral in helping facts and data tell a story. The strength of our presentation power enables us to speak on complex topics and research to any audience -- from colleagues to a C-Suite executive roundtable. Let your story shine with these five infographic design principles.
1. Plan and Prep
Behind every great infographic, there's a team of researchers and fact-checkers in need of another pot of coffee.
The planning phase cannot be underestimated in infographic design principles. This stage of the creative process is often the most time-intensive, but essential to delivering quality content. Gather credible sources and think outside the box when it comes to information. Consider adding versatility with quotes, as well as incorporating a variety of sources to avoid bias.
Next, consider the best way to present this data. Sketch a few mock-ups and bring these to your team for review prior to finalizing a design. You might be surprised how often a fresh pair of eyes can detect errors that may have passed unnoticed weeks prior! Ask the hard questions and ensure your messaging reads exactly as intended. Discovering typos and miscommunications in the confidence of your colleagues is far better than finding an error once an infographic has gone live.
2. Find Your Info Inspo
The best infographic design principles are just a click away. Browse through the world of effective infographic templates and guides from resources like HubSpot. Consider what kind of businesses or projects are most aligned with your own. Look through these comparable infographics via a simple web search to discover how others have utilized infographic design principles in disseminating their information.
Reviewing infographics in various media can help give an idea of how this data will look in print vs. digital or on a mobile device vs. a desktop. A high attention to detail as well as a proficient knowledge of current market research is one of the best assets presenters can have when creating visual deliverables.
3. Stick to One Core Idea Per Graphic
Remember the feeling of staring at a long-form equation during math class and not knowing where to look? Our childhood panic resurfaces when confronted with an infographic that's simply too much to digest.
Many designers make the mistake of thinking that more is better when it comes to infographic design principles. After all, why use one data point when you can add twenty? Unfortunately, your audience is often lost between the first dozen data points and has tuned out by the time you've reached the ten-minute mark of your presentation.
A good rule of thumb is to communicate one idea per infographic. This allows presenters to really key in on what it is they would like to communicate. Brevity is an important aspect of effective visual communication. Remember that as humans, our brains can only retain a limited amount of information per minute. The most resonant infographics are those that convey a central idea by use of filtering information prior to presenting. Clients want to see growth at a glance, sweeping trends, and readily available key statistics.
As Harvard Business School states, "communication is primarily about word choice. And when it comes to word choice, less is more."
4. Connect with Your Clients
Remember when slide transitions were the bomb.com? The impact of professional media has come a long way since our fond memories of PowerPoint presentations and accompanying handouts. The evolution of infographics has led us to examine what audiences find most engaging.
Passive slides are out, storytelling is in.
As humans, we connect most strongly with personalized content. Whether your audience is a board room or a Zoom room, the human connection in infographic design principles cannot be understated. It may seem as if data holds limited opportunities to resonate with your audience. However, the way we present information -- even dull statistics -- can cause our clients to either engage or tune out.
Visual storytelling propels market research and analysis. Our clients want to be the heroes of an epic informational journey, not the passive participants in yet another slideshow. When our clients become the main characters, infographics leave an even greater impact.
Our innovative research is both custom-designed and illustrated to tell the unique story of each project. These concepts apply equally to visual media as we try to nail down the perfect harmony of graphics, key text, and data. Remember to opt for a minimalistic, sleek aesthetic to your infographics and take into account personal touches such as local data, an easy-to-read format, intriguing or fun visuals, and a focus on the element of storytelling within the information delivery.
5. Add a Personal Touch to Your Story
Every author leaves their signature mark between the pages. Infographics that shine deliver data as well as distinction. This is where seamless content creation comes into play.
Data delivery is just as much about a cohesive, uniform style as any other media. From resumes to executive summaries, every deliverable is a chance to make a first impression. Think of infographic design principles as a handshake -- only less sweaty.
While your statistics or technical map may not have the same level of branding as Coca-Cola or Pepsi, all visual deliverables possess their own unique style and flair. Think of this design tenet as the consistency between deliverables. Aim for cohesive infographics from one project to the next, incorporating key elements like font, colors, and logos or personal touches. The overall aesthetic shouldn't distract from the content, but presentation matters in establishing rapport.
Ultimately, building recognition through infographics serves as a way for your clients to easily associate your deliverables with your project team. This establishes reliability within an industry or community. In addition, a consistent and standardized aesthetic between media creates a more polished, professional look.
Telling a story through visual media can be a daunting prospect. With a little practice and plenty of infographic expertise shared by leading professionals, anyone can present visual deliverables with confidence and effectiveness. These five infographic design principles will take your media journey from rock to diamond and allow your data to truly shine.
Ready to harness the power of visuals for your market research? Let’s talk!
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