Data visualization and Infographics have become highly used tools not only by marketers and SEO specialists, but also by journalists. Wikipedia reports that “In newspapers, Infographics are commonly used to show the weather, as well as maps, site plans, and graphs for statistical data.” However, nowadays not only some single stats are highlighted with the use of Infographics, but the whole article may be presented in an Infographic style. Subjects highlighted in newspaper Infographics are extremely diverse – from sporting events and various types of government statistics to wedding tips and versions of sinking of the Titanic.
The newspaper’s interest in Infographics and Data Viz is completely understandable. In the world of information and data overload, it is extremely important to present information shortly, clearly and in a visually attractive way. What else apart from Infographics can fulfill these requirements?
As we already know Infographics are a unique combination of text and graphics / visuals. And it has also been established that 90% of information transmits to our brain in a form of visuals. That’s why Infographics are perceived as one of the most effective tools to grab readers’ attention and deliver them the required message. Not surprisingly that there is an increasing number of newspapers and magazines that are setting up departments inside editorial offices to develop Infographics. Those Infographics are aimed to accompany complicated articles with a large number of figures using clear eye-catching illustrations.
Publishers mention that publications with Infographics get higher attention and higher number of hits than those without such illustrations. Moreover, think about increasing role of Twitter in media world. Do you think it is possible to transmit some news in just 140 characters? Obviously not. But since an Infographic can be saved as a standard JPEG image it can be uploaded together with some short message and can tell readers the whole story in a single image. It is easy and effective. Readers would love to share this type of tweets.
However, it is important to remember that since Infographics in newspapers are used not only online but also printed, their designs should be print-friendly. It means that graphics used in newspaper Infographics are less colorful (primary black and white colors, sometimes with addition of 1 extra color, for example red, to highlight some important data) and simpler (mainly iconography). But if designed nicely, this doesn’t make Infographics less appealing.
Latest reports predict that in near future Infographics are going to be one of the leading formats for presenting information in newspapers and magazines. It will be an indispensable element of delivering news. Even though making them understandable to a wide audience is not an easy task that can be solved only by highly professional and experienced Infographic designers.
