This week’s Guest Post about Infographic design was written by Delan Cooper, a content marketer and writer, who works for Beyond the Hedge digital design agency based in Sydney, supporting businesses and organisations communicate their ideas, products and services more effectively.
Companies who maintain online presences must consistently produce regular content in order to remain competitive and maintain a successful brand. Regardless of the digital medium, producing regular content is equal to brand success. However, so many companies churn out similar content that readers and consumers tend to ignore. Visual content promotes readership and in the end, revenue and satisfied customers. Read below to learn how to make an infographic more appealing and well-designed.
Thought Provoking Questions
Those who struggle how to design an infographic that works can solve their problems by simply using a thought provoking question. Visual content may get viewed more easily by more people, but they need intellectually stimulating content to keep readers engaged. For example, a company that sells health food can ask readers to guess how many people die from preventable diseases every year. Once readers learn how diabetes and heart diseases is negatively affecting millions of people every year, they will be much more inclined to eat healthily. On the other hand, a sports clothing and equipment company can present an infographic that starts out by asking readers about the correlation between exercise and stress relief. Questions that promote positive behaviors will increase quality of life while promoting the company.
Inspirational Quotes
Constantly creating new content can be quite mentally exhausting. Fortunately, brief and useful quotes are easy ways to borrow famous phrases to promote the company. For example, an infographic could quote Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote about how time is money when referencing financial services. Alternatively, a telecommunications company could start out an infographic with a pearl of wisdom from a famous spiritual leader about the importance of communication and relationships. Either way, memorable mottos will stick with readers for a long time. When creating quote images, keep the design simple, the typeface easy to read and color palette conservative. Legibility and succinctness must be balanced with a quote that is creative, playful and engaging.
Engaging Data Visualizations
The answers to what is data visualization and how it is used may depend on the graphic designer. Data visualization does traditionally differ from infographic. This is because data visualization is all about numbers that are processed and presented through software programs. When left in its raw form, data can be so abstract and unappealing that readers automatically ignore it. However, graphic designers can import the data into software programs that will export visually appealing maps, graphs or charts. Infographic need scientifically sound data to back up claims and calls to action while adding credibility to content. In a nutshell, infographic communicate a subjective plot and data visualization communicates objective data. When used separately, they lack credibility, but when used together they reinforce each other.
How-To Guides
Consumers are always on the lookout for shortcuts, time savers and handy tips. When it comes to digital marketing, companies have endless opportunities to provide consumers with helpful content that also promotes the company. Sharing knowledge with consumers will establish authority, increase brand visibility and promote beneficial business relationships. Infographics are an excellent way to concisely share valuable advice and information. For instance, a home repair company can translate how-to repair or installation guides into well-design graphic tutorials. Infographic work well with information that can be ranked, categorized and compared. The same home repair company could also use Infographics to present home remodeling decision paths. Visual tutorials that are designed with visual content marketing techniques will promote products while providing consumers with genuinely helpful advice.
Appealing Calls to Action
Almost every commercial website will include some call to action, which is usually in the form of contacting the company or requesting information. Without call to actions at the end of infographic, the company loses out on valuable sales and marketing opportunities. Calls to action shouldn’t just focus on revenue, but also be used to promote brand awareness and engage the audience. Because visual calls to action are more powerful and eye grabbing, they bring the company’s message to a whole new level. Most graphic designers prefer to use striking palettes with textual hierarchy to grab attention and highlight the most important parts of the message. One of the best infographic design tips is to use exciting or humorous calls to action in tandem with fun events, new products and exclusive promos.
In the end, visual content and even infographic may benefit from professional photographs. Well presented photographs can express a thousand words that will graphically represent a unique marketing message. For instance, a company that manufactures products can present the production phases of a popular item. The photos could present production members assembling products and office staff sending invoices. This will humanize the company and emotionally connect consumers with the brand. How to create an infographic will ultimately depend on the company’s design capabilities and consumer needs.
