Infographics: Show and Tell in a Web 2.0 World
Information graphics, or infographics, are a way to combine complex or lengthy subjects into a quick snapshot that’s easy to digest … both visually and conceptually. You’ve probably seen them. You may have shared them on social media sites. But how can they help you grow your business?
The History of Infographics
Let’s take a step back and look at the history of infographics first. Early forms have been in existence since prehistoric times, from cave drawings to maps. They were later used for things such as keeping inventory of cattle and depicting battles. Today, we come into contact with infographics daily, from certain transportation signs to weather information, and business related topics and concepts shared on social media.
Why They Work
Infographics act as a visual shorthand of sorts for conveying complex and detailed concepts and data that would be too lengthy to write. In today’s world of mass media and minute attention spans, who has time to read 1,000 words when they can look at one picture? People are seeking ways to consume more information in a shorter period of time. They respond to attention-grabbing and easy to understand formats.
How Infographics Can Help Your Business
There is a science to creating a successful infographics design. You need to find the right balance of visual art and written information. When you do, you can present un-sexy statistics and data in an attractive way … a form of edutainment, or learning made fun. Their use in business has evolved from basic bar graphs and pie charts in presentations, to engaging, eye-catching pictorials covering a number of topics, including:
• Market demographics
• Market trends
• Customer behavior
• Product and service education and application
• Product evolution
• Business processes
• Brand differentiation
They are used across all industries, from healthcare, to technology, education, and entertainment. Because of their interesting nature, they increase exposure through sharing, plus they improve data retention and brand recognition.
You can share your infographics in a variety scenarios, too. You can post them on your branding site and social media profiles. By posting them online, you increase the likelihood that industry influencers and your target audience will circulate your infographics for you by using the sharing apps on your website and within social media. When they do, they increase your brand visibility and help improve your SEO by increasing the number of links coming back to you from other site. You may choose to include them in videos that you post online or giveaway as promotional material handouts at tradeshows. Or you may decide that you want to include them in your email marketing campaigns.
A word of warning though … weak or even bad infographics design can have a negative effect on your brand. To take advantage of all of the business benefits mentioned above, you need to possess a blend of creative, artistic, and research and analysis talents. If you don’t, hire a company that does.
For more information about graphic design services for creating infographics, call us at (410) 366-9479 ext. 2#.
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Dina Wasmer is President of Incite Creative, a marketing and graphic design firm that provides brand-building services and strategies for small-to-middle-market businesses and non-profit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, Dina is an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore teaching typography and graphic design principles. For more information, log onto www.incitecreativeinc.com or contact dina@incitecreativeinc.com
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