Does your data tell a story and can you visualize it? We look at the history and thought processes behind data visualization and successful infographics. Read the blog post at: http://blog.kurtosys.com/storytelling-data-visualization/

2. HISTORY

3. Infographics are by no
means a new invention.
There are many examples
of infographics used in
cartography, science and
journalism, often dating
back to the 19th century.
This example was created
by undergraduate
students of W.E.B. Du
Bois made for an exhibit
at the 1900 Exposition
Universelle in Paris. ➔

4. Here’s a brilliantly
simple but powerful war
time poster that dates
back to 1917.

5. This diagram dates back to the 1840s and depicts the spread of Cholera in
relation to the temperature in London. A theory that was later proved to be
incorrect, but nonetheless, the study paved the way for the first national system
for collecting statistics and a more data-driven approach to public health.

6. The Titanic spawned many visualizations – often to help people put the scale of
the ship into context. One of my favorites is this simple 1912 rendition of the ship
hitting the iceberg in relation to a train of the same era.

7. Some say that the London tube map is one of the most successful infographics of
all time. Designed by Harry Beck in 1933, he realized that geographical accuracy
was less important to passengers who simply needed to plan a journey as easily
as possible.

8. MATCHING
STORIES TO DATA

9. Before artwork is considered, it’s important to analyze your
data set and agree on what kind of infographic is most
suitable. Should it be one main visual or a mixture of many?
This can also depend on the final medium the graphic is
presented in (i.e. Web only, print, TV, etc.).
Infographics can be categorized into these five areas:
ILLUSTRATIVE PROPORTIONAL
TIMELINE MAP
LIST

10. Good for simple visuals and quick facts. For
example this well illustrated graphic explaining
land use for an agricultural company.
ILLUSTRATIVE

11. Visuals that are relatable on a human level. For example, this graphic
from the Slow Journalism magazine depicts the area of public parks
in proportion to some city centres.

12. Visualizing the history of something. This example explores the history of video
game consoles over time.

13. Applying data to maps. This example is an ambitious
visual of chain pizza restaurants in the USA.
MAP

14. Using type effectively in lists or tables. Another example
from the Slow Journalism magazine demonstrates how
type was used to show the success of films in 2014.

15. TIPS ON
VISUALIZING DATA

16. Sketch out your idea on paper before digital
artworking begins, you could save yourself/
a co-worker a heap of time!
Work out what your “killer fact” is — what is the
main purpose of the infographic?
Validate your data and make sure your sources
are credible
Optimize the scope of your data and keep it
interesting — not too much and not too little
Present as beautifully as possible — design is key!

17. PUTTING DATA
INTO CONTEXT

18. The best infographics, which are trying to convey a message, assist the viewer by
putting that data into some sort of relatable context. We’ve all the heard the
expressions people use when trying to put something to a scale: “it’s about the size of
3 football pitches”… “it’s about as tall as the Eiffel Tower” etc.
Here’s a great example a visual that depicts a blue whale:

19. FUTURE OF
INFOGRAPHICS

20. Infographics are evolving. There are new flavors of visuals that are
emerging such as 3D infographics that use real photography.
Even physically printed infographics made with 3D printers can create
some amazing results.

21. What about interactive infographics? Check out this horizontal scrolling site about
the future of car sharing.

22. Read this post on our FinTech Blog