I’m not a designer. I’m a writer that has worked with some great designers to create appealing presentations that combines words with graphics, photos and illustrations in a way that engages with visitors to a place. I’ve called this interpretation. Interpretation and infographics have a lot in common.

Information graphics or infographics are defined by wiki as “graphic visual representations of information, datat or knowledge, intended to present complex information quickly and clearly.”

Need I say more!

Infographics have been around for years, in newspapers, books, in classrooms and on signs and modern maps – for example public transport maps. They manifest themselves every time a symbol or graphic image is used to convey complex information –a visual short-hand.

They work because most of us are visual communicators. Over half of our brain is dedicated to visual functions; images are processed much faster than text.

Infographics have really come into their own with the rise of social media. With masses of information being shared around the world faster than a speeding bullet, infographics are being used as an effective social media tool. They give us quick bursts of fact on the environment, politics, social issues, science and more.

Websites dedicated to displaying the best infographics are springing up:

• dailyinfographic.com
• www.coolinfographics.com
• www.nzherald.co.nz/infographics/news/headlines.cfm?c_id=1503250

There is also a gathering wave of free online tools to create your own infographics for those of us, like myself, that don’t possess the necessary skills. I’ve had a go using the free tool Infogr.am and the results are below.  Nothing startling I’m afraid, but you are dealing with an amateur!

Are infographics in your communication toolbox? Share your infographic on our Facebook page or if you are happy for us to display it on our website, email the file to chair@innz.net.nz. Our favourite (as voted by the committee) will win a year’s free standard membership to INNZ for you or a friend.