DATA VISUALISATION USING

INFOGRAPHICS

Carmen Nel 11 Apr 2019

 What is data visualisation?

Data visualisation is a general term used to describe

any effort to help people understand the significance of
data by placing it in visual context.
 What is infographics?

“An infographic is not a chart or a collection of graphs – it

tells a story in a visual manner that makes difficult topics
easier to digest for readers” Brian Wallace

“An infographic is defined as a visualization of data or ideas

that tries to convey complex information to an audience in
a manner than can be quickly consumed and easily
understood” (Smiciklas, 2012).
 Data visualization for libraries

Systematic monitoring and evaluation of data enables

libraries to respond to the changing needs and
demands of their users.
Proper data visualization facilitates the recognition of
patterns and relationships to communicate a message
in a more compelling and interesting way.
(Archambault, Helouvry, Strohl & Williams, 2015)
What stories can a library tell with
infographics?
• Show growth
• Think about what library reports you can
access that will show a comparison between
last year and this year
• Total number of books
• Monthly, yearly circulations
• Number of books in a certain section
(particularly if that section was an area that
was specifically updated)
What stories can a library tell with
infographics?

• Show student usage of the library

• Number of books checked out by faculty /
discipline
• Show usage of digital content
• ebooks, digital audiobooks accessed/
checked out
What stories can a library tell with
infographics?

• devices checked out

• Show your impact
• number of classes taught
• number of professional development
sessions led
https://librariandesignshare.org/2016/05/20/library-reports-as-
infographics/
 Some free infographic tools
Piktochart (http://piktochart.com)

Piktochart is a free visualization tool with an optional

premium version. The free version provides a series of
templates which can be altered, and various elements
changed to suit the authors requirements. This platform has
more functionality in terms of customisation of the format
as well as uploading and editing data, providing different
icons, and the positioning of infographic elements.
 Here’s Johnny…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTRxyxDVHuw&t=
477s
 Some free infographic tools
Infogram (http://infogr.am)

Infogram is a free visualization tool with templates and

colour schemes to choose from which each vary in colour,
font and style. With Infogram it is possible to upload
images, maps and text to include in the infographic. There is
also the option to upgrade to a premium account where
there is more functionality related to adding images, and
changing styles.
 Some free infographic tools
Canva (https://www.canva.com)

With a variety of ready-made templates to get you

started, Canva is user-friendly. Once you select your
template, simply type keywords into a search box and
choose from hundreds of images to include in your
infographic design. You can also add backgrounds,
shapes, icons, photos, illustrations and text.
 Some free infographic tools

Easelly (http://www.easel.ly/blog/)

Easelly, another infographic generator offers 15 templates

for infographics as well as the ability to create your own. It
is also possible to import various types of objects and icons
to customize you infographic. For those who already use the
presentation creation platform Prezi, the format used by
Easelly may seem familiar.
 Some free infographic tools

Venngage (https://venngage.com)

This easy-to-use infographic maker lets you choose

from more than 100 templates. The free plan lets you
create only five infographics, but affordable individual
and educator plans offering full access to all the tool’s
features are available.
10 tips for creating infographics

1) Sketch out a draft storyboard on paper before

creating your digital design.
2) Be clear - have a title that is likely to 'grab' your
audience.
3) Be concise - restrict the amount of ideas you
are going to include.
4) Try to use differentgraphics to tell your story.
5) 5) Limit your colour palette to keep the design
simple.
10 tips for creating infographics

6) Limit the amount of font styles used.

7) Try not to use too much text.
8) Only use data relevant to your infographic.
9) Use simple graphics and icons that relate to
your data.
10) If you have a lot of information to convey
consider breaking the infographic into
sections.
 Types of infographics
Informational/list:
Text is used as a way of information
representation and few charts and
graphics are used.
While the information is enhanced with
an attractive colour scheme and icons,
overall, the words drive the message
home.
List infographics have numerous
purposes such as enumerating quick tips
and top lists. It is probably the simplest
format for any type of content.
Data visualisation / mixed charts:
A popular way to use info-graphics is to
visually represent complex data.
Through data visualisation, dense
information can be shared with the
audience faster and more efficiently also
making it easier to remember.
This type of infographic is quite flexible.
There are several visualization types you
can use – from bar graphs to pie charts.
Of course, you can use a combination of
these, especially when covering data-rich
studies.
Processes and How-to’s:
This is used when a process
or steps have to be depicted
in an infographic (e.g. how
to work on Piktochart),
Infographics that focus on
the “how-to’s” of a process
can better relay instructions
than long-form text.
Timeline:
Whenever you want to show how
something has evolved over time
or want to tell a story in a
chronological order, this type of
infographic is the most useful in
getting your point across.
Timeline infographics are
appropriate if you want to discuss
the evolution or history behind
something.
Comparison:
These infographics are commonly
used for comparisons between
two products, people, ideas,
things, events or places.
This infographic is useful if you
want to compare two or more
things. You are free to include as
much information as you want as
long as they belong to one of the
groups being compared.
Location (maps):
To visually communicate trends across a
region – local, national or global – a
location infographic is used. For example,
use of latest technology in libraries.
Map infographics are great when it
comes to presenting statistics, survey
results, and other demographic data. The
good news is, you don’t have to conduct
your own data-gathering for this. There
are plenty of publicized studies and
surveys you can use to create something
unique.
Hierarchical:
This type of chart
organizes information
according to levels –
whether it is level of
importance, level of
difficulty, income level,
etc.
Anatomy:
Using visual elements is a great way to
break down technical information,
making it easier for the audience to
comprehend. Use an infographic that
breaks down information into its core
components.
Anything that can be explained by
looking into its anatomy can be
represented using this infographic type.
This includes car engines, computers,
animals, or even something abstract –
like a strategy or mindset.
Photographic:
A photographic infographic is
the combination of images and
graphic elements such as
simple line charts, icons or
text. Working on the basis of a
background composed of high-
quality images, this type of
infographic is aesthetically
pleasing and eye-catching.
Chronology:
When the topics under
study deal with history,
and best illustrated
through chronological
infographics.
Case study:
Such infographics are
useful when the topic
under study deals with a
specific inquiry, and the
study outcome has to be
disseminated to a larger
group of people.
Other references used:

Agrawal, V. n.d. The seven different types of Infographics and when to use them. Available at
https://nealschaffer.com/types-of-infographics/ [accessed 5 Apr 2019].

Archambault, S.G., Helouvry, H.H., Strohl, B. & Williams, G. 2015. Data visualization as a
communication tool. Library Hi Tech News, 32(2), 1-9,

Ferreira, J. 2014. Infographics: an introduction. Centre to Business in Society: Coventry University.

Wallace, B. 2017. How to make effective infographics that tell a story. Available at
http://www.visualstorytell.com/blog/how-to-make-effective-infographics-that-tell-a-story [accessed 5
Apr 2019].

Yvaraj, M. 2017. Infographics: tools for designing, visualizing data and storytelling in libraries. Library Hi
Tech News, 34(5), pp. 6-9.