Center for Instruction Research and Technology

Infographics

Center for Instruction Research and Technology

Definition of an Infographic

• Visual representation of a large data set, multivariate data set, or a complex process

• Infographics are not typical graphs, plots, or charts.

HTTP://IMGS.XKCD.COM/COMICS/LEGO.PNG

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Qualities of Good Infographics

• Accurate• Visual representation must be consistent with

numerical representation• High data-to-ink ratio• Stand-alone• Design supports the data • Labeled well, and correctly• Created for a general audience• Do not contact jargon and undefined

acronymsTufte, E. R. (1983). The visual display of quantitative information. Cheshire, Conn. (Box 430, Cheshire 06410): Graphics Press.

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Qualities of Bad Infographics

• Visuals misrepresent the data• Insufficient data• Contains Chart Junk• Labeled incorrectly, or not at all• Difficult to read

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Examples

Sheehan-Dean, A. C. (2009). Concise historical atlas of the U.S. Civil War. New York: Oxford University Press.

http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,1914947,00.html

Examples

http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,1911060,00.html

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http://www.time.com/time/2007/paris_hilton/

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http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/10/04/us/20090917-meat.html

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http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/08/04/sports/olympics/20080804_MEDALCOUNT_MAP.html

Examples of Ineffective Infographics

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JE Barrick et al. Nature 000, 1-5 (2009) doi:10.1038/nature08480

Mutations found by sequencing genomes sampled between2,000 and 20,000 generations from an evolution experiment with E. coli.

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http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/09/30/magazine/30poll-t_CA1.ready.html

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Use of Infographics

Good use• General audiences• To show relationships

in complex data sets• To visually tell a story• Should not need a

legend/explanation• When multiple

dimensions are need

Bad use• To replace

standard/expected graphs in results sections

• To combine unrelated data

• To describe simple processes

• To represent data that can be presented in a chart

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Our Services

• Individual consultation • Familiar with graphic design and data

representation.• Experienced in preparing graphics to

publisher specifications

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Some of our work

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Discussion