“A picture is worth a thousand words.” F.R. Barnard
Infographics fulfill our need to get information into our brains quickly. They can give us qualitative as well as quantitative information and they have somewhat of a storytelling vibe to them.
One of the first known pieces of information given to us in what we now call infographics came in the form of a statistical illustration called a coxcomb chart. This chart was created by none other than Florence Nightingale to show the number of unnecessary deaths during the Crimean War. An illustration is below. It is called a coxcomb because its jagged edges seem to appear like a cock’s comb.
As we move quickly to the 20th century Peter Sullivan started providing infographics to the Sunday Times so that he could “explain major events in news stories and provide more clarity for the readers” (2018). After the launch of the Internet in 1991 the floodgates were opened and what Nightingale and Sullivan did was an inspiration to others to create ways of putting forth information that readers could take in quickly and easily.
Here is an infographic that explains the history of infographics.
Now we are really going to skip forward to today when we have so many applications that are available to any user for free. We see infographics every single day and just do not realize it. Make a conscious effort to notice the infographics next time you are out for a few hours.
I looked at three applications that anyone with a computer and decent Internet access can use.
- Infogram.com
- Piktochart.com
- Easel.ly
These applications have so many similarities that it is easiest to put them all together here:
- Templates from which to choose
- You can create new infographics if you choose
- Lots of charts, maps, graphics
- Lots of themed charts-no holiday themes on Easel.ly that I could see. Infogram.com has more than others.
- Can add video clips to infographic.
- Shareable to multiple platforms
The cost of the applications varies. Infogram was the most expensive at $20/month. The other two were very comparable in price at $36 to $40/year.
After I had researched and learned about applications to help you make infographics it was time for me to create one. I must admit it was daunting and I procrastinated as much as I could. I found that gathering the information was the hardest for me. I think that collecting data for the purposes of my own library might be a better motivator for me. This is my first attempt at an infogram and I look forward to experimenting a little more with the many features that infogram has to offer.
In researching infographics I found this article that details how to teach students to create infographics. Diana Laufenberg taught an environmental history unit that incorporated collaboration, research and investigation, as well as learning about and creating infographics to inform others about their research.
(2018, May 21). The history of infographics [Infographics]. Copypress. https://www.copypress.com/kb/infographics/the-history-of-infographics-infographic/#:~:text=British%20graphic%20designer%20Peter%20Sullivan,in%20infographics%20for%20their%20audiences.
Eastaway, R. (2020,May 18). The hidden maths of the coxcomb chart. Rob Eastaway. https://robeastaway.com/blog/florence-nightingale#:~:text=The%20diagram%20that%20she%27s%20most,April%201854%20to%20March%201855.
Nightingale, F. (c. 1858). ‘Coxcomb’ Diagram [Display No. 55]. Florence Nightingale Museum, London, England.
I love that you included the History of Infographics. As an artist, graphic designer, and future librarian (lol), I find that so interesting! Is there a way too see an up close view of your infographic or a pdf of it? I would love to see all of the data.
For this being your first Infographic to create – you did an amazing job! It was my first try too. I honestly felt that it wasn’t too difficult of a job. I do think that graphics like these could be very informative to use in the library or for presentations to peers. I think that older students could also utilize these when creating presentations.
I never knew their were actual applications to create these graphics but it was interesting to learn about it. Creating the graphics do not seem hard but gathering the information maybe challenging. I can see students using these applications to create presentation. This would be great to also use to give information to the students. Thank you for sharing.