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Inforgraphics
ATD Blog

3 Tips for Adding Infographics

Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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I surveyed educational professionals about their biggest challenges when including infographics in their learning materials. Know-how was typically their top answer, so I have compiled three tips that simplify the infographic process.

Sketch and Validate

Rendering a visual on a computer is time-consuming and often requires training. Instead, make a rough sketch of your infographic first. You do not need to be Michelangelo to communicate your ideas with a basic drawing: Boxes, circles, stick figures, lines, arrows, and labels can sufficiently communicate anything. Consider the concept that is communicated by this simple pen drawing.

Parkinson_InfogrpahicFigure.png

Ask a colleague to review your sketch and explain it to you. Did the explanation match what you intended your graphic to communicate? If not, make edits and ask again. Repeat this process until your reviewers agree that your graphic communicates the intended message. It is much easier (and takes far less time) to tweak or redraw a rough sketch than to do a final computer rendering for each change. 

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Avoid the “Blank Slide Syndrome”

Start with an infographic that works and tailor it to meet your needs. I recommend creating a library of graphics commonly used in your organization’s learning materials. These graphics become your foundation for new projects. It’s much easier to start with an older, successful graphic and tailor it than to start with a blank piece of paper. If nothing else, your library of graphics will get you thinking graphically. You will be amazed by how fast ideas come when you flood your brain with visuals.

Another place to find graphics to leverage is the Internet. Use these resources to search through a library of business graphics for ideas:

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  • Google Images—Type your concept in the search field to see how others have used visuals for similar concepts. It’s a great source to find ideas for how to develop your graphic.
  • iStockPhoto—Type in a concept and you'll be given images that relate to your concept. You can download and purchase these images for immediate use.

Give Learners a Reason to Care

Most visuals are ignored because they fail to connect with the audience. How will sharing this information help them or answer a specific question they need answered? When looking at your infographic ask, “So what?” If your content can answer that question, you are on the right track. If you don’t know what your learners care about, find out. Not knowing what your learners care most about means wasted time and certain failure.

Apply these three tips to your training event and be more successful.

About the Author

Mike is one of 34 Microsoft PowerPoint MVPs in the World and is an APMP CPP Fellow. He is a visual communication expert, professional speaker, educator, and award-winning author. He regularly conducts workshops and creates graphics, presentations, and content for companies like Microsoft, FedEx, Pfizer, Xerox, Dell, Subaru, and Boeing as well as at learning institutions and government agencies like NSA and CMS. Mike also wrote two industry best practice books, “Billion Dollar Graphics” and “A Trainer's Guide to PowerPoint: Best Practices for Master Presenters.”

Mike owns Billion Dollar Graphics (BillionDollarGraphics.com) and 24 Hour Company (24hrco.com). Contact Mike at [email protected] to learn more.

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