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Infographics

If you have been asked to create an infographic for an assignment and you are not sure where to start, then you've come to the right place. On this page, we will discuss what an infographic is, what you need to consider and how to present your information.

Infographics are visual representations of information, data, or knowledge. They can be used to tell a story or communicate an argument through a combination of visual material and text.

Successful infographics:

  • convey complex messages clearly and concisely
  • contain visual elements that communicate a message
  • use a minimum of text, and the text that is used is carefully worded
  • have a logical flow of information
  • require the audience to spend little time or effort to receive the message.

Where to start

Whether you have been given a stand-alone assignment or it is a part of a larger assignment, your first step should be analysing the assignment instructions. There, you will find out details such as:

  • the topic area/s you are required to cover
  • any formatting requirements
  • if there is a particular software you need to use
  • whether your infographic will be printed or viewed online
  • referencing requirements.

Your assignment instructions should clarify your audience, which could be your teacher, classmates, industry professionals, or the general public. This will influence the content and explanation level. For example, the general public typically needs more explanation than industry professionals.

What is your objective?

Before you start designing your infographic, think about what your objective is.

Some examples of objectives are:

  • communication of data/statistics/information
  • presentation of a timeline
  • telling a story
  • outlining a process
  • visualisation of a theory or method.

Your objective will influence how you communicate your message. For example, if you are trying to catch people's attention, then bold colours might be a good choice. On the other hand, if your infographic deals with a sensitive topic, more subtle colours may be more appropriate.

Plan

Now, it's time to decide on the information to include in your infographic and how to communicate it effectively. Aim to convey your message in a clear and understandable way. Keep your message focused by selecting a few key points to highlight, as including too much information can reduce audience engagement and dilute your main message. Avoid trying to include an entire data set or explain complex theories in depth.

Design

Layout

Organise information logically to tell your story, using numbers, colours, lines, and arrows to guide the reader. Avoid clutter by ensuring space around visual elements and text, helping your main message stand out.

Visual elements

Visual aids are essential for infographics and can include graphs, tables, maps, images, and icons. Choose clear and simple designs for easy audience understanding. Avoid packing too much information into graphs and consider how you can make key information from graphs stand by using larger text and icons.

Text

Text should tell some of your story, but not all of it. Kept text to a minimum and use key words and phrases rather than full sentences, where possible.

For printed infographics, ensure text is readable from arm's length. Use at least 14pt for body text and larger for headings. Test readability by printing a small section to confirm clarity.

Accessibility

Keep in mind that your infographic may be read by a diverse audience. To ensure that it is accessible for as many people as possible, consider the following:

  • colour contrast: make sure that your background and your text have enough contrast that the text can be read easily
  • font style: choose clear font styles and avoid cursive styles
  • font size: these should be large enough to be easily readable. A basic rule is for body text to be no smaller than 12pt.
  • provide alt text for images: this will allow people who cannot view the images to be able to understand what they show. Alt text should not be more than a few sentences long
  • provide a transcript for more complex images that require more detailed explanation, you could consider providing a transcript
  • colour alone should not convey meaning: instead of just using colour, you can also use labels, patterns or textures to make your images accessible to people who cannot distinguish certain colours.

Platform

For some assignments, you will need to use a particular platform, but for others you will need to choose your own. There are many to choose from — Miro, Canva, and Adobe Express, just to name a few.

When making your choice, take into consideration whether or not the service is free, and if it is, are there any limitations to the features you can use when accessing the free version of the tool.

Examples from students

Here are some examples of infographics that have been made by students who are studying in different areas.

Carlos is a health sciences student and he had to make an infographic that would help to combat recent rises in diabetes in the Australian population. Instead of providing extensive background about what diabetes is and how it is caused, he decided to create an infographic that could be placed in the waiting rooms of medical clinics that gives three simple pieces of advice that would help people lower their risk of diabetes.

Arabella is a second year education student. She needs to create an infographic to show how a particular educational theory can be used in the classroom. She decided to unpack each of the steps using visual aids accompanied by key words.

Liam is an urban design student who developed an infographic on sustainable urban design, focusing on its benefits for quality of life. Intended for community workshops, it highlights principles like green spaces, public transportation, and walkability. Brief statistics accompany each principle, conveying that sustainable design creates healthier communities.

Mei is a fashion student who created an infographic focused on the environmental impact of textile waste in fast fashion. Designed for a sustainability campaign, her infographic highlights the massive volume of clothing discarded annually. Her design aims to show that reducing textile waste is a critical step consumers can take to drive change in the fashion industry.

Amir is a law student who designed an infographic to explain how a bill becomes a law in Australia. His aim is to empower citizens by clarifying the legislative process. The infographic presents a timeline of key stages, accompanied by minimal text. It highlights points where public involvement is possible, reinforcing the message that everyday people Australia can understand and participate in the process.