Infographics

What are infographics? 

Infographics are a useful tool in presenting data visually They can help ‘tell a story’ or make data more insightful and understandable.  

This can often be in the form of a chart or graph, accompanied by brief text to give users information quickly and easily. 

What is in the toolbox? 

  • Examples of how library and knowledge services have used infographics effectively  
  • A “Training Tools” section.  This introduces the elements for creating infographics.  
  • A “Useful Reading” section for more information on the use of infographics: from inside and outside the library sector. 

Getting Started 

  • See Flickr or Pinterest for different styles of infographics 
  • Look at the useful reading section below

Suggested tools 

  • The following tools are widely used to create infographics.  They are free and simple to use. 
  • Contact your IT department for advice if you encounter access issues. 

To submit an example of an infographic you have created, contact Heather Steele (h.steele@nhs.net) 

Useful Reading 

About Infographics 
Books 

For some inspiring examples of high-quality infographics and data visualisations on a variety of topics, including health.

Consider adding them to stock for your library users.

  1. Krum, Randy (2013) Cool Infographics: Effective Communication with Data Visualization and Design. Hoboken. NJ, Wiley.
    You can download a free chapter and there are links to the online figures in the book. 
  2. McCandless, David (2012) Information is Beautiful. London, Collins. 
  3. McCandless, David (2014) Knowledge is Beautiful. London, Collins. 

 

Tech Guides 
  1. Elsevier Connect (2014) Infographic: Librarians and Research Impact
    Discussion of the creation of an infographic by Library Connect which shows how librarians are helping researchers measure the impact of research     
  2. Infographics Design Team (2018) Top 12 Tools For Creating Infographics
    Lists free and paid for tools for creating infographics. 
  3.  Potter, Ned (2014) So you want to make in infographic? 4 useful options. 
    Ned’s article gives a useful tech guide to the infographic products on the market and is aimed at information professionals. 
The Value of infographics 
  1. Mashable UK (2012) How to Create an Awesome Infographic
    The thinking     process behind how to create an awesome infographic. 
  2. Neomam (no date). 13 reasons why your brain craves infographics
    Discusses the science behind infographics.
  3. Potter, Ned (2015) Library use compared with other things: a snapshot in 2015
    Contains some good examples of statistical infographics and demonstrates the use of statistics to tell a story using various platforms such as Microsoft Sway.
  4. Potter, Ned (2012) The Library Marketing Toolkit. London. Facet.
    Discusses the value of impact and advocacy in libraries.
  5. Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (2016) CLAHRC Oxford Infographic Gets Awards Honourable Mention
    Details an award winning infographic produced by CLAHRC. 

Examples of library infographics 

  1. HEE Knowledge and Library Services Leads (2020) National Statistics Return Infographics 
  2. Librarian Design Share 
    A community of creativity for librarians, people who work in libraries, and library students. …an open online repository of interesting library-related design.