I know what you’re thinking; information / data graphics (*IDG’s) are boring scientific or mathematical diagrams found in a dust collecting lump known as Mr textbook. Well let me tell you things have changed and I would now argue that the IDG can be just as powerful (if nor more so) as a photo or an illustration. The meaning of IDG’s graphics is to convert raw numbers / characters into symbols.

If IDG’s were good enough for Napoleon…
One of the best early samples of the information / data graphic was used by none other than Napoleon and helped him devise his strategy by pinpointing the following events on a map:

• the army’s distance and direction as they travelled
• the altitude the troops passed through
• the size of the army as troops died from hunger and wounds
• the freezing temperatures they experienced

These visualising of data all helped give Napoleon a clearer vision and essentially helped him plot the best strategy for victory.

Communicate more effectively…
Information / Data graphics are a great way to break up large chunks of text and make them visually appealing. If your content features any data which can be represented visually then this constitutes an ideal opportunity to use IDG’s. Originally info /data graphics took a rather rudimentary form and couldn’t be further away from the creative forms which shape today’s IDG’s. IDG’s have been predominantly used in scientific diagrams but recently these original techniques of expressing data have been diversified.

1. Pie Charts & Bar Graphs 2.Exploded Diagram 3. Illustrated by scale graph

Techniques to convey IDG’s

There are a variety of ways you can present your data, but just remember that certain types of data lend themselves to a certain type of technique. Let’s take a look at the techniques which you can use to present your data.

Information / Data graphics can be broken down into 3 areas:

1. Graphs
2. Charts
3. Diagrams

—Graphs—

• Tree diagram – Often seen in family trees; these are essentially diagrams which grow from one particular point of reference.
• Network diagram – also known as a cluster diagram. These are used to represent a structure / system or interconnected group. Computer network diagrams would be an apt sample of this type.
• Venn diagram- This is a diagram with between related sets of data which overlap to highlight the relationships.

—Charts—

• Histogram – data represented in adjacent bars. Histograms are used to plot destiny of data.
• Bar chart – A chart with rectangular bars with lengths proportional to the values that they represent…probably the most popular form of chart.
• Pie chart – A circular chart which is divided into sectors used to illustrate percentages….this resembles a pie, although I wouldn’t even touch a thin slice of that. Lends itself brilliantly to stunning visuals.
• Function graph- Used in maths; overly complex so do please avoid!
• Scatter plot – Also called a scatter chart or scatter diagram. A collection of dots are scattered around relating to the x and y axis; visually this has a lot of potential.

—Other Popular Types of diagrams—

• Exploded view – Typically used to show all parts of an object which cannot be viewed from the outside…often used to show the workings of mechanical parts.
• Maps – Data relating to a specific location, not much more to say here.
• Commented Image – These can be used to comment on specific parts of an image .This typically assumes the form of a large image surrounded by notes which refer to the adjacent part of the image. (think about the illustrated diagrams you see in science books of a heart and the like!)

A picture paints a thousand…
The big change now is that IDG’s have become pieces of graphic design in their own right, rather than merely tools for visualising data in its simplest form. The chief protagonist for pushing IDG’s in this direction is Nicholas Felton. Felton uses an array of techniques to tackle the subject matter of his data; using imagery and typography on different scales which combine to not only create a visually stunning piece of design but also help the viewer understand the data in an instant. He deploys certain techniques like using larger sized text to represent larger numbers etc.

Felton – data becomes design…
Felton collates data from his everyday life (for instance the amount of pints he has consumed through to how much money he has spent on petrol) and creates an annual report in the form of stylised graphs and charts. His pieces are now viewed as stunning piece of graphic design in their own right and have truly exposed the power of data graphics. Felton: a pioneering designer.

Don’t feel you have to have reams of data to produce IDG’s. You can illustrate an image or simply show a brainstorm visualised as an image. I would challenge clients to use IDG’s rather than generic, meaningless images. The reason for this is whilst being visually stunning IDG’s are also personal to you and represent your company far closer than a generic image. Remember data itself can be used to produce stunning visuals which can surpass that of a generic image. Often images are used just for the sake of breaking up text; by using IDG’s you are creating a more tangible link between text and image. In fact why not make the IDG the centre piece of your page and let it tell the story rather than writing reams of statistical text.

Conclusion…

Give me one good reason not to use IDG’s (if you have some form of important data) within your site? I’m struggling to think of one. Are the key images on your site really working hard enough? If not let us come up with a unique solution using information / data graphics. Simply send an email to chris@ihm.co.uk if you’d like to learn more.

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