Infographics have been around for thousands of years. We just call it by different names. For centuries, people have attempted to explain and present the world around them through a combination of words and visual representations. From primitive cave paintings to Egyptian hieroglyphs, history shows us that human beings are visual creatures by nature.
Today, we know infographics as a fun and quick way to digest and absorb information without a ton of heavy reading. In fact, compared to text articles, infographics are 30 times more likely to be read by people.
But with so many types of infographics, how will you know which one to use? Fret not! We’ve compiled some of the most common types of infographics to help you identify the format that will best suit your needs along with advice on when to use them.
1. Statistical Infographics
Perhaps the most common form of infographics, statistical infographics focus on the presentation of numerical data with graphs, tables, and charts. This is often used when you want to communicate figures without information overload. They’re perfect for survey results, business reports, and other statistic-based data. Use this when you want to make facts and metrics more interesting to read and data-driven arguments easier to understand.
2. Timeline Infographics
Timeline infographics focus on telling a story over a period of time. They are useful for when you want to incorporate multiple data points spread out in chronological order. Timelines can be used for everything from the history of your brand to the development of a trend over time.
3. Flowchart Infographics
As the name suggests, flowchart infographics are used to show a flow or process. This can be presented in either a linear or branching sequence. Flowcharts can help readers visualize a step-by-step process. Whether it’s creating a product or presenting a system, this type of infographics can simplify methods for the reader.
4. Geographic Infographics
Essentially, geographic infographics are perfect for location-centric data. Marketers often use maps to highlight places and statistics for each area. This gives the readers a wider overview of the topic. Combining geographic-based information with key data sets can increase the impact of your information.
5. Comparison Infographics
Comparison infographics are used when you want to compare and contrast two different things. This can cover a wide range of topics from smartphones to politics. A comparison infographic is perfect for when you want to highlight the differences and similarities, pros and cons, or simply be a guide in decision making.
6. Hierarchical Infographics
This type of visual presentation organizes information in levels. Fundamentally, a hierarchical infographic is meant to compare the different levels while still showing the connection between them. This is commonly represented in a pyramid. However, you can also use an organizational chart to highlight the importance of each level.
In a world where we strive to get information as quickly as possible, infographics can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. The type of infographic you choose will depend on how you want to organize and present your data. An effective infographic needs to be concise, creative, educational, and able to convey a burst of data in an attractive format. Create visual representations that are not only visually appealing but also valuable to your customers. Remember that your content needs to stand out in the sea of infographics floating on the internet!
What type of infographic do you usually come across? Tell us about them in the comments below! You can also sign up for our free five-hour trial!
Check out the other parts of the Beginner’s Guide to Infographics series:
- A Beginner’s Guide to Infographics
- 5 Best Practices in Creating Infographics
- Top 10 Infographic Creator Apps and Software
- Infographics Friday: An Infographic to Sum it Up
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Hi,
This is such an awesome article. This is just what I need right now for the company that I’m working with. It somehow gives me an idea to use an infographic to effectively invite customers to get our services and products. Much thanks indeed for this wonderful content. Looking forward for your future blogs. Cheers! 😉
I’ve been researching the topic of infographics and your article really inspired me on writing a complete guide on what is an infographic: https://icons8.com/articles/what-is-an-infographic/
It discusses different types of infographics with actual examples, as well as providing tips on visual elements and sharing a list of services for creating infographics.
I hope it will add value to your article!