How To Create An Infographic

How To Create An-Infog aphic With No Discernible Talent Whatsoever STEP 1 Bite Into the Apple : Sorry Windows users, but this guide is not for you. Creating Infographics is a highly specialized skill. And if you decide to fully dedicate yourself to such pursuits you will be safe to ignore this guide. However, my goal is to get your average Joe making better-than-suck Infographics with least amount of friction possible. And that means Mac, baby. STEP 2 Find Examples To Rin o Google As you're researching your competition, try to discover and learn about the following. What is the typical size on an Infograph? Which colors go together and which really pop? What fonts are used on best looking Infographs? What graphics? How are the wireframes laid out? Can you find one that looks close to what you're trying to accomplish? hey google! show me best infographics ever Googl Search I'm Feeling Lucky STEP 3 What to put in your Toolbox Photoshop? You could. Many do. But the learning curve is HUGE and the software is VERY expensive. Illustrator? See above. Gimp? Not on a Mac. Inkscape? I couldn't figure out how to use it. It's just not intuitive enough. After many weeks of trying to find the right tool, I've settled on Pixelmator. The only reason you're seeing this Infographic is because Pixelmator is easy, intuitive and perfect for a casual Infographic-maker. Step 4 I decided to go full-on Inception and create my first Infograph (this one) about the high-level steps I've taken to create my first Infograph :-) Choose Your Topic Presenting historical events in a chronological order is a popular way to deliver an Infograph. And this of course is an inexhaustible source of topics. Collating and expressing complex data in a visual form is another popular methodology and there are tools specifically designed for easy integration with your Infograph. Free tools totally worth checking out: wordle.net, gapminder.org, hohli.com and IBM's Many Eyes (googleit). Step 5 Wireframe It STEP 6 Research. Research. Research. Great thing about Infographics is that you can present a lot of data very quickly. The Most Used Social Media Sites by Female Students You Tube Gwitter STEP 7 Storyboard It Like most things in life, Infographics start with a solid foundation Research both data and design aspects of your Infograph and lay out your wireframes and color schemas. Make sure you think though the information you want to present and build your Infograph layer by layer. Start with wireframes, add color, then major design elements and repeated themes (like stars in this Infograph) and build it all the way though without pictures or text. Finally, make sure you're using the right tool for the job. This Infograph was made using Pixelmator only and I have NEVER before used Pixelmator nor have I ever made an Infograph before. Not bad for a first timer, ey? :-) Author: @Dino Dogan DIY Blogger NET Technology, Creativity and Marketing for the Business Brain Founder of Triberr. Lousy Mixed Martial Artist and a recovering Network Engineer. Pretty good singer/ songwriter, trainer of dogs, and a blogger of biz. Fun at parties and a global force for badassery.