Humans are simply attracted to visuals, and there is no argument with that. In fact, 90% of information is gathered through the optic nerve. Just consider yourself for example.
You prefer to watch the movie versions of the Harry Potter series, the Hunger Games series, and all of Dan Brown’s Novels. No one likes to read a bunch of texts these days.
Writing is good, But Infographics are better
Even though how relevant the article is, or how trending the blog is, no one would ever find themselves sitting on their couch and read blogs from their mobile devices and computers. While infographics had made an impact these past few years.
It is a potent tool to communicate with people whether they are interested or not. At this moment, bloggers and other types of online multimedia market are using infographics and increased their traffic by up to 12%. You can simply create your very own infographics for your platform with the use of infographic design tools.
Here is a Complete Guide to Create Infographic for Your Brand
Step 1: Gathering All Your Data
Of course, you need first to log in or sign in to Canva. You no longer have to fill up so many forms for you to start. You can simply use your social media account (Facebook), and you are good to go.
While, when creating your infographics, it is important to gather all the data needed before anything else and not just to lay down it over. Take the time you need, after all, the information featured in your infographics is the most important factor.
Step 2: Finding Facts
Never put any information on your infographics that are not facts. This can affect your credibility. Instead of gathering leads, you may end up criticized by the netizens because of this mistake. Therefore, make sure that all the information you gathered is correct. You’ll get yourself into trouble if you are going to display inaccurate information.
Step 3: Wire Frame
Now it is time for you to create a wireframe. Just like any structure to build, a blueprint is a prerequisite for you to visualize everything from the measurement of the overall structure.
The same way goes when it comes to graphic design, you need a wireframe to layout everything. This includes the color palette, the images you are going to use, background, foreground, and other elements. Using a wireframe can be an advantage for you to create everything nicely according to your plan.
Step 4: Format
The information you are going to include in your infographics must be depicted.
It is important to keep in mind not to use a format just for the sake of using a format.
This means that, as a designer, try to be creative to include all the information needed to show. Try to consider using formats like a pie chart, flowchart, diagrams, and anything else that is eye-catchy.
Step 5: Story to Tell
In a novel, it needs spices to make the readers pretty much exciting about what they read.
This includes the introduction, plot, highlight, exposition, and plenty of other things that can hook the readers to continue reading.
The same way goes when it comes to infographics.
The design must have a story to tell. Rule of thumb – never starts a design until you know what you are trying to say to your audiences.
Regardless of how colorful the infographic is and how fancy the overall presentation, if it does not make any sense to the readers, then this would affect your bounce rate.
Step 6: Setting Up Your Tone
You should know by now the tone of your presentation. This will vary depending on your target audience. If it is a serious matter, then it is evident that your tone should be serious also.
If your target audience is the millennials, then your presentation should sound and look like what millennials like. It does not recommend using terminologies that are out of this world.
This can be very confusing to the readers. Hence, it is important that your infographics have a neutral tone and at the same time, the design is easy to understand.
Step 7: Utilize Illustrations
If the need of showing images visually, it is crucial not to rely on fancy typography but rather utilize illustrations. You can use canva templates, icons, charts, vector images, and as many graphics as you can. Again, we humans pay attention to the visual rather than the texts.
If you really want to take your visuals to the next level, you can use specific tools like Captive to visualize data in many different ways, from heat maps to plotting addresses on google map from excel.
Step 8: Smart Use of Typography
Speaking of typography, smart typography presentation is a plus in order to catch the viewer’s attention. Your infographic will look so lame if you use the same fonts, the same size, and the color.
This can make an impact on your overall presentation. Keep in mind that it should not be too fancy. The use of 2 up to 3 different font types are advisable. Never use a complicated type of font, (it is not a love letter). Also, it is important to consider the typography is not detracted from the visual of your presentation.
Step 9: Smart Use of Color Combination
Infographics will be viewed on many online platforms including social media sites. Therefore, consider combinations of colors that work well on the screen. It is not recommended to use neon colors that can irritate the eyes of the viewers.
Imagine your elements are neon green while your text is black, this can be very stressful to the eyes. It is important to choose a contrasting color to make sure that the overall presentation of your infographic is relaxing to the eyes, but can catch the attention and interest of anyone who is going to view your image.
Use a color palette that works. Using at least three colors is highly recommended. While, if you need more colors, make sure to add shades, tints and shadow effects.
Step 10: Space
Let the texts and elements breathe. Keep in mind that it can be overwhelming if you have a bunch of texts, icons, and elements inside your graphics. Don’t overcrowd the space and stay organized with a clean infographic design.
It is more approachable and at the same time, it is easier to follow.