Tag: Visual Communications

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What are Infographs? How to Create visually appealing Designs

Mental Health Infograph
Infograph example

We are evolving with the way we read.

In this digital age that we live in today, we are constantly looking at information in a variety of ways. They are posted everywhere – in books, magazines, newspapers, billboards and more. In the last 10+ years, we have seen a marketing shift from traditional print to digital.  We consume information not only on our desktop computers and laptops, but now more than ever through our tablets and smartphones.  With the rise with Infographs, we can learn a lot more and absorb insightful information.

While many rely on traditional methods of reading and learning, Visual Communications has grown tremendously that provides a great deal of information retention.  But what exactly is Visual Communications?  Here is the Wikipedia definition in a nutshell:

Visual Communication
Visual Communication

The Rise of the Infograph

We are constantly looking for information to better our knowledge. With knowledge comes better learning outcomes, which means faster and easier ways to retain information.  Enter the Infograph, which is a visual image in the form of a chart or diagram that is used to present information and data. Check out some interesting stats on the benefits of having Infographs:

  • High quality infographics are 30x more likely to be read than text article
  • 40% of people respond better to visual information than text
  • Infographs help increase SEO, which results in higher search engine rankings and more visitors to your website
  • 36.4% click on the first link
  • 12.5% click on the second link
  • 9.55% click on the third link
  • They are simply more engaging
  • Helps you process information faster
  • Researchers found that color visuals increase willingness to read by 80%
  • People remember 80% of visuals that they see rather than 20% of what they read
  • Infographics can keep customers on your website longer

Infographs are visibly more appealing and are easier to the common eye. Anyone with a Photoshop like program can get in the fun and create their own.  In recent years, a company like Canva has made it easier than ever to produce quality designs and share online. You don’t have to be professional graphic designer anymore to build a great visual communication.

5 Helpful Tips on designing a great Infograph

1) Create your infographic for your target audience
2) Strive for simplicity
3) Use imagery and less text
4) Use white space, not a distracting background
5) Build to share on social media platforms

Having that said, check out five Infographs that I have put together, with Tim Hortons as the subject matter.

Tim Hortons Infograph 1
Tim Hortons Infograph 1
Tim Hortons Infograph 2
Tim Hortons Infograph 2
Tim Hortons Infograph 3
Tim Hortons Infograph 3
Tim Hortons Infograph 4
Tim Hortons Infograph 4
Tim Hortons Infograph 5
Tim Hortons Infograph 5

Resources

Doern, Bill. Visual Skills For Social Media. Seneca College. N.p., 5 Nov. 2016. Web. 31 Jan. 2017.

Maskeroni, Alfred. “Infographic: 13 Reasons Why Your Brain Craves Infographics.”Adweek. Adweek, 19 Feb. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2017. <http://www.adweek.com/creativity/infographic-13-reasons-why-your-brain-craves-infographics-163042/>.

“5 Reasons Why People Love Infographics.” Outreach Media. Outreach Media Group, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2017. <http://outreachmediagroup.com/5-reasons-why-people-love-infographics/>.

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Two Images that capture Visual Communications

Visual Communications
Visual Communications image courtesy of LinkedIn

Throughout this past decade, we have seen the emergence of various applications on our smartphones that we cannot live without.  One of them in particular is Instagram, which is one of the most popular apps used in the world right now.  Simply known as IG or sometimes The ‘Gram, this visual communications platform is recognized for its ability to tell stories.  This has now become a destination for businesses to build brand awareness and identity in selling products and ideas.  The following two images selected below I will deconstruct the meaning behind them and the message they attempt to convey.

Visual Communication Image 1

This image instantly triggers an emotional reaction.  Samsung has provided a snapshot of what almost every single person does when they wake up…Get some coffee and check their phone.  It’s a highly likely universal practice among students and working class.  The color describes the feel that this could be at home, at the cottage, a workplace table or even a coffee shop environment.  The coffee design in the cup paired with two phones in the image denotes maybe this is something a couple would do, browsing their phones in the AM.  Samsung connects the audience with a relatable practice and introduces their latest smartphone model for consumption.

Visual Communication Image 2

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJdTLGED2A1

I believe adidas got it right with this ad. Their purpose is to sell shoes and the imagery shows the product in motion, in branded uniform for that matter. The gloomy color in the photo paints a picture that their products are what you need, regardless of the weather conditions of any given day. The caption in the post also adds as a narrative using the word “steps”, as the actual image has multiple stairs as the backdrop. The image also creates the idea of team unity as well. They sell an overall theme of  fitness and travelling on a path to success integrated into this post.