Using and Creating

InfographicsAllison McLaughlinCook Library Intern

Summer 2014

What is an infographic

?Source:

http://mashable.com/2012/07/18/lego-infographic/

Definition:

An infographic is a graphic representation of information that helps users visualize the “big picture” of an idea that

might otherwise be difficult to understand.

(Lamb and Johnson, 2014a)

Why infographics?• http://youtu.be/6-qbf5lsFH0• Young people are growing up

in a visual world of charts, graphs, and diagrams. (Lamb and Johnson, 2014a)

• Complicated information become easier to understand because it is displayed visually.

• They are fast and easy to “consume.”

(Educause, 2013)

Infographics are not brand

new!This one is from the 1950’s.

Let’s look at some other examples.Source:

http://media.boingboing.net

/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/

bomb.jpg

Politics

Source:http://

elearninginfographics.com/4-ways-educational-technology-

is-changing-how-people-learn-infographic/

Education

Source:https://www.facebook.com/

photo.php?fbid=10151199653108238

Business

Source:http://blog.visual.ly/eye-candy-20-visual-

recipes/

Recipes

Sources:http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Manning-Brady-XIV-By-

the-Numbers/577c6c11-907f-43a4-bee3-3534c1f8adcfhttp://www.sportsdatallc.com/2012/10/23/the-best-both-worlds/

Sports

Sources:http://venspired.com/dont-just-copy-do-the-right-thing/

Andhttps://historytech.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/loc-infographic.png

Academic Libraries

Sources:http://images.infographicstyles.com/10-facts-about-

dr-seuss-books.jpgAND

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/20/cd/24/20cd2460d25d2371c2c88fe1c05197c1.jpg

PreK-12Libraries

Activity:

• Open Google or Pinterest.• Think of a subject in which you are

interested (example: football or knitting).

• Type the subject in the search bar and add the word “infographic” after it.

• Feel free to share any interesting infographics you found.

Ideas for Using Infographics

• Final assessment• Course syllabus• Display research data• Visual representation of abstract

concepts like anatomy and genetics (Lamb and Johnson, 2014a)

• Quick visual reference• Represent numerical data in an

interesting way (Educause, 2013)

Using Infographics with Literature

• Kick off a thematic discussion • Compare and check facts from an

infographic with facts from a book• Create a timeline of events from a

story or person’s life• Create a “book report”• Promote certain books or genres• Create a pathfinder for books or

information(Lamb and Johnson, 2014a)

Creating an Infographic

1. Choose your topic (how to, comparison, explain a concept, present data, etc).

2. Go to www.venngage.com and sign in.3. Click on Create and then Infographic from

Market.4. Choose a template (check that it says Free in

the bottom right corner!)

JUV Levels Infographic

Tips for Infographics

• Keep it simple.• Start with the title and key ideas.• Limit words. Use short passages.• Consider putting phrases in boxes or bubbles.• Stick to a few colors, fonts, and lines and use

them consistently. (Lamb and Johnson, 2014a)

Editing your Infographic

1. Double click on any text to edit it. You can change the words, font, color, or size. Then click Save.

2. Click on shapes or boxes to move or change the size by dragging.

3. Double click on shapes to edit the color.4. Delete shapes by right-clicking.5. Add new shapes and charts from the left side.

References

Lamb, A. & Johnson, L. (2014a). Infographics part 1: Invitations to inquiry.Teacher Librarian, (41)4, 54-58.

Educause. (2013). 7 things you should know about infographic creation tools. Educause Learning Initiative. Retrieved from

https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7093.pdf.

Lamb, A. & Johnson, L. (2014b). Infographics part 2: Practical ideas for your school library. Teacher Librarian, (41)5, 64-67.