You need to explain complex data. How can you create infographics that your audience will understand?

1 Know your purpose

Before you start creating an infographic, you need to define your purpose and your audience. What is the main goal of your infographic? What do you want your audience to learn, feel, or do after seeing it? How familiar are they with the topic and the data? These questions will help you decide what type of infographic to use, what content to include, and what tone to adopt. For example, if your purpose is to educate your audience about a new product, you might use a comparison infographic to show how it differs from other options. If your purpose is to inspire your audience to take action, you might use a timeline infographic to show the urgency and impact of the problem.

2 Choose the right format

There are many types of infographics, such as charts, maps, diagrams, lists, and more. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on the data and the message you want to convey. You need to choose the format that best suits your purpose and your audience. For example, if you want to show the relationship between different variables, you might use a scatter plot or a bubble chart. If you want to show the distribution of data across a geographic area, you might use a map or a heat map. If you want to show the steps of a process, you might use a flowchart or a cycle diagram.

3 Simplify the data

One of the main challenges of creating infographics is to simplify the data without losing its meaning or accuracy. You need to filter out the irrelevant or redundant information and focus on the key points that support your purpose and message. You also need to organize the data in a logical and coherent way, using headings, subheadings, labels, and captions. You can use colors, shapes, icons, and fonts to highlight the most important data and create contrast and hierarchy. You can also use data visualization techniques, such as scaling, grouping, and sorting, to make the data easier to understand and compare.

4 Tell a story

An infographic is not just a collection of data and visuals. It is also a story that you tell to your audience. You need to create a narrative that guides your audience through the data and connects it to your purpose and message. You can use a catchy title, an introduction, a conclusion, and a call to action to structure your story and engage your audience. You can also use metaphors, analogies, examples, and emotions to make your story more relatable and memorable. You can also use transitions, arrows, lines, and numbers to show the flow and direction of your story.

5 Test and refine

The final step of creating infographics is to test and refine them before you share them with your audience. You need to check your infographics for accuracy, clarity, readability, and attractiveness. You can use online tools, such as Grammarly, Canva, and Piktochart, to help you create and edit your infographics. You can also ask for feedback from your colleagues, friends, or target audience, and see how they react and respond to your infographics. You can use their comments and suggestions to improve your infographics and make them more effective and appealing.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?