Informational Design in the 21st Century

In 1950 Ladislav Sutnar and Knut Lönberg-Holm developed a systematic method of creating informational design in Catalog Design and Catalog Design Progress. 

The core concepts were:

1. Function: A definitive purpose that shows information in a manner that is easy to “find, read, comprehend, and recall.” (Meggs 366) 
2. Flow:  Information is shown in a logical manner.
3. Form: Directing the eye through the information by using visual and functional elements. 

The result was to create “A simple visualization language with emphasis on graphic charts, diagrams, and pictures clarified complex information and saved reading time.” (Meggs 367)

Many of the aforementioned points made by Sutnar and Lönberg-Holm apply even more so in today’s fast paced world. In this day and age of the Internet, information is always at our fingertips. Unfortunately this leads to an overload of information and to compound that even more are finicky attention spans. Infographics are one form of informational design that has proven to be an efficient way to communicate in a mass audience while also effectively utilizing the core concepts devised by Sutnar and Lönberg-Holm. 

Infographics mix visuals, data, and knowledge to create an easy to digest representation of a subject. Using visual elements can liven up dry and boring material. People are more likely to share an infographic and that in turn will create a viral spread of information. 

Types of data visualization utilized in an Infographic:

• Time-series data
•  Index charts
•  Stacked graphs
•  Small multiples
•  Horizon graphs
•  Statistical distribution
•  Histograms
• Box-and-whisker-plots
• Stem-and-leaf plots
• Scatter plot matrices
• Parallel coordinated
• Q-Q plots
• Maps for geographical data
• Flow maps
• Choropleth maps
• Graduated symbol maps
• Cartograms
• Hierarchies
• Node-link diagrams
• Adjacency diagrams
•   Networking data of relationships
• Force-directed layout
• Arc diagrams
• Matrix view

The reasons for businesses, educators, marketers, and etc to use infographics are numerous.

•   Simplifies information to make it easy to understand
•  Reaches a large audience in an accessible manner
• Generates interest in the subject
• Can be used as persuasion for branding or to attract customers
• Easier for the brain to retain and recall information
• Visuals learning tool for better learning
•  Increases traffic

Infographics are highly popular and that is why they repeatedly pop up on facebook, tumblr, television, news articles and in any sort of media imaginable. Infographics are a powerful form of communication in the 21^st century. However it must be remembered that the underlying success of a good infographics and informational design lies on 3 things: function, flow, and form.

References:

• David, Sarah, Dr. "10 Reasons to Use [INFOGRAPHICS] to Build Your Brand!" 10 Reasons to Use Infographics to Build Your Brand. Socialsavvysarah.com, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://socialsavvysarah.com/reasons-use-infographics-build-your-brand/>.
• "Infographic." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infographic>.
• Isca, Frank. "The History of Infographics & Their Role For Content Marketing." The History of Infographics Their Role For Content Marketing Comments. Business 2 Community, 24 Jan. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.business2community.com/content-marketing/the-history-of-infographics-their-role-for-content-marketing-0123653>.
• Meggs, Philip B., and Alston W. Purvis. Meggs' History of Graphic Design. 5th. New Jersey: John Wiley , 2012. 528. eBook.
• Ocampo, Marvi. "10 Reasons Why Infographics Are Important." Naldz Graphics.net. Naldz Graphics, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://naldzgraphics.net/tips/reasons-why-infographics-are-important/>.