Infographics: Data Designed
Everyone has seen charts, graphs and Venn diagrams and while those graphics do illustrate data, infographics are a step into the future of representational information. Infographics take what previous charts have done and elevate the data into a both aesthetic and informative platform. For instance, instead of reading a couple paragraphs of dense data with maybe an accompanied pie chart which can be pretty tedious, infographics have the goal of making data super accessible and quick without losing facts.
Many companies and blogs have started employing infographics as a way of becoming more approachable and trying to gain more access to a younger demographic. Infographics have a variety of purposes which can range from simply presenting data about a survey to informing the viewer of current events through the use of illustration and Flash.
There are currently three major forms of infographics: print, interactive and motion. Print is the most popular because it’s the easiest to create and get out into the public whether by hand or on the internet. Interactive infographics start to involve multiple layers of information that can’t be obtained in 2-D print work. They also have the advantage of sharing faster, more dynamic content because of their Flash-based content. Motion graphics are the newest of the three categories and they use a combination of illustration, kinetic text and interesting data to usher the user through an explanation or opinion.
Infographics still have a lot of room to grow, especially with iPad and iPhone capabilities. The upcoming trends in infographics revolve around real-time data where the illustrations will ebb and flow with the coming and going of new data.
Designers are also taking measures to create more interesting and new ways of representing data aside from illustrations. Artist Aaron Koblin has worked with various developers to create art pieces based on information and interfaces that create stunning visuals. The image below is a screenshot of Aaron Koblin’s Flight Patterns piece, it’s a living module that tracks flight patterns around the United States. The brighter the area, the more air traffic occurs there. You can also watch the module react from morning to evening and see who travels where. His work is available: here.
Due to how popular Infographics are becoming, it’s a good idea to research and see what kind of graphic you could make for your company or client since it will help generate new, fresh interest in some denser data. A particularly interesting interactive infographics is on Good’s website concerning trends in higher education, for more information visit: http://visual.ly/trends-higher-education-0
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