An effective infographic conveys information and messages in ways that users can understand at a glance. Deeper meaning and details are often revealed as users navigate the design. To take users on the journey, an infographic must balance visual design, plain language, and accurate visual and written information.
Focus on only a few key messages
A common problem with infographics is a desire to cover all aspects and details of a particular concept. It is essential to identify the key message you want your audience to understand, and focus on that. Sometimes this will mean that smaller details are left out, or that complex ideas are simplified or broken down into several parts.
Limit text
Large blocks of text slows down the user's interaction with the infographic and reduces the impact of the overall message. Brief, effective text that is well matched to the graphics works more effectively. Additional details can always be added to the surrounding text.
Consider more than one
Breaking down a complex idea into separate panels, or even separate infographics, can improve understanding. This is useful if the message is actually a number of separate ideas. It’s also useful If you find yourself hoping for ‘1 summary infographic’. Such an infographic often becomes impossibly complicated, and you may need to either simplify the message or come up with a linked set of concluding infographics.
Embrace simplicity
Trying to be too close to real life can pose problems – icons or graphics to look exactly like ‘the real thing’ can be harder for users to interpret compared with well-known symbols. For example, users can often more quickly and readily recognise a cartoon icon of a landline phone than a real-life drawing of a mobile phone, even though landline phones are less commonplace.