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9/22/2015 What’s the difference between an Infographic and a Data... - Jack Hagley // Graphic Design // Infographics
Here is an answer for you in the shape of adiagram:
It's probably a better question to ask 'What's thesimilarity between an Infographic and a DataVisualisation'. Let's first look at what's similar, then break downeach one in turn in order to both define andcompare them.They both seek order, and it is always the intentionthat they should be informative. They are bothvisual representations of data. They convert data(usually numbers) into graphics. They can both bestatic, interactive or animated.They are both convergent fields, in that they involvehighly skilled people from a large number ofdisciplines, such as programmers, designers,statisticians, journalists, developers, geneticists,economists and so forth.
Infographics
indexnextWhat’s the difference betweenan Infographic and a DataVisualisation?
usually be intended for a specific audience, thusInfographics are subjective. They are self containedand discrete: it is information presented withcontext; sensitivity designed and presented in away that is accessible for an audience. The graphicdesign of an Infographic will be obvious; as it willbe designed for that audience, or to fit in with awebsite or off-line publication's pre-existing style.Often illustrations, iconography and other graphicalflairs are used to illuminate the content. As this isthe case, it is usually necessary that each one beconstructed by hand, although there are tools thatare available to make them using templates.The method of presentation that is used for oneInfographic cannot usually be used for another.They can take a more holistic approach to asubject, and bring in related information that can beunquantifiable — e.g. a quote that sets a mood. AnInfographic is an item.
Data Visualisation can be both an item, and adiscipline. The information will be quantifiable, andtherefore in the form of numbers. DataVisualisations should be objective and the entiredata set may very well be presented withoutediting. There is a greater interest in the gestalt,and less about applying an editorial process.Data Visualisations can be created for thepurposes of making sense of the data, or to changea data set into a more accessible form. Often datasets can be so massive and unwieldy that it can bealmost impossible or laborious for a human toprocess. Therefore Data Visualisations are farmore likely to be generated automatically throughthe use of algorithms or computer programs.The process that is used to create them could beapplied to another data set. They are likely to be presented without context. The system of organising the data will perhaps beproprietary, and it is this system itself that becomesthe interface that the data is accessed through. Thedata itself becomes its own architecture.The graphic design of it (in the sense of the lookand the feel) will likely be deliberately less obvious,and take a back seat to the data itself.
Compare and Contrast
In the process of making either one, there will bealways be a number of prototypes that must beconstructed. Each one of these could beconsidered a Data Visualisation. Infographics cancontain Data Visualisations, but Data Visualisationscannot contain Infographics. (Unless perhaps itwere a Data Visualisation of Infographics!). Like thedifference between a ship and a boat, a boat cango on a ship but not the reverse.The difference between them can perhaps be alsothought of as the difference between data andinformation. Information is refined data, just as anInfographic could be thought of as a refined DataVisualisation. The word Infographic is even acontraction of information graphics. Both hopefully