P1. What is an Infographic?

An infographic, is a visual representation of data, knowledge, or information, which can come in the form of a chart or diagram.

The purpose of an infographic, is to not only present information, but to present it as quickly and clearly as possible. 

The process of designing an infographic, can be known as information architecture, information design, and data visualization.

According to Edward Tufte, info-graphical displays should follow these set of rules: 

• show the data

• induce the viewer to think about the substance rather than about methodology, graphic design, the technology of graphic production or something else

• avoid distorting what the data have to say

• present many numbers in a small space

• make large data sets coherent

• encourage the eye to compare different pieces of data

• reveal the data at several levels of detail, from a broad overview to the fine structure.

• serve a reasonably clear purpose: description, exploration, tabulation or decoration.

• be closely integrated with the statistical and verbal descriptions of a data set.

Infographics can be produced traditionally, using everyday resources such as graph paper, pencils, markers and rulers. Although, more recently (in the digital age) they are being made with the use of computer software, such as Adobe Illustrator. 

They can be printed out as posters, or digitally displayed online.