An infographic is a visual representation of information, data, or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. Infographics can improve comprehension, enhance recall, and increase interest in a subject. Videos can also be used to communicate information visually through motion, narration, graphics, and more. So can a video serve as an infographic and effectively present data and facts? Let’s explore this idea further.
What is an infographic?
An infographic is a collection of imagery, charts, and minimal text that gives an easy-to-understand overview of a topic. Infographics use visuals like icons, diagrams, maps, illustrations, and photographs to communicate relationships and meaning. The most common types of infographics include:
- Statistical infographics – Visual representations of statistics, data, and information. For example, a timeline infographic or data visualization.
- Informative infographics – Focus on summarizing information around a specific topic. For example, an infographic showing the steps of a process.
- Educational infographics – Teach about a subject in a visual, engaging way. For example, a medical infographic of human anatomy.
- Comparative infographics – Compare two or more things side-by-side. For example, a comparison of different software options.
Infographics are a great way to quickly communicate complex data, facts, processes, timelines, statistics, comparisons, and more. They can simplify large amounts of information into an easily digestible visual format. Effective infographics are clear, focused, visually appealing, and purposeful.
What makes an effective infographic?
There are several key elements that contribute to an effective infographic design:
- Clear focus – Having a specific focus and message prevents an infographic from being cluttered and confusing.
- Substantial visuals – Visuals like graphs, maps, timelines, icons should make up a significant portion of the infographic to engage viewers.
- Minimal text – Text should be concise and kept to key facts. Let the visuals tell the story.
- Logical structure – There should be a natural narrative flow achieved through arrangement of visual elements.
- Readable layout – Design should allow the content to be scanned easily through clear visual hierarchy, white space, and formatting.
- Purpose – Infographics are designed to serve a purpose like educate, entertain, inform, or persuade an audience about a topic.
When these elements come together effectively, an infographic can quickly communicate the most important information on a topic in a memorable way. The strategic use of visuals enhances comprehension and recall.
Are videos infographics?
At first glance, videos do not seem to fit the definition of an infographic. However, upon closer examination there are ways that videos can provide viewers with many of the same benefits of infographics:
Similarities
- Present information visually – Like infographics, videos rely on visuals instead of text to communicate.
- Can simplify complex ideas – Videos can break down challenging concepts through illustrations, motion, music, and narration.
- Engaging format – Both videos and infographics utilize engaging visual formats that hold viewer attention.
- Enhance understanding – Videos can improve comprehension through dynamic graphics and strategic visual storytelling.
- Shareable – Videos and infographics can easily be shared online to spread information.
With these similarities, there is a case to be made that videos can be considered infographics when they are designed specifically to inform or educate audiences visually.
Differences
There are also some key differences between infographics and videos:
- Infographics are primarily graphic-focused while videos rely more heavily on motion, sound, and narrative.
- Videos unfold over time while infographics can be scanned freely.
- Infographics generally contain minimal text but narration and on-screen text are common in videos.
- Videos are presented linearly but infographics allow random access to information.
- Infographics simplify data into key facts and takeaways. Videos cover topic information in more detail and depth.
So while they share some common traits, infographics and videos are distinctly different mediums for visually communicating information.
When can a video qualify as an infographic?
For a video to be considered an infographic, it would need to:
- Have an educational objective to inform or teach facts and data visually
- Focus heavily on data visualizations, maps, charts, icons, and graphics with minimal use of text
- Allow viewers to quickly extract key information, statistics, takeaways rather than telling a story
- Follow an organized, logical visual narrative structure
- Strategically use complimentary motion, music, animation, and sound effects to enhance comprehension
- Omit extraneous details and maintain a clear focus throughout
Essentially, it must function as an infographic first and a video second in order to qualify. Any video can display information, but only certain ones are designed from the ground up to transform data into clear, digestible visual communication.
Examples of informational videos as infographics
Here are some examples of videos purposefully created in an infographic style for visual education:
Motion infographic
This motion infographic about the benefits of walking creatively transforms statistics and facts into engaging visuals and animation without using much on-screen text:
Illustrated video infographic
This illustrated video uses clean, simple flat illustrations to explain the stages of the design thinking process as an infographic:
Animated data visualization
This animated data visualization of global temperature change since 1880 effectively communicates trends through charts, graphs, maps, and icons:
Augmented reality infographic
This augmented reality video creatively displays air pollution data in virtual 3D space to immerse viewers:
Kinetic typography infographic
This kinetic typography video stylishly animates statistics about social media usage into dynamic on-screen text visuals:
These examples demonstrate how videos can take on infographic qualities when designed with this purpose in mind. The strategic visual communication of data and information proves videos can educate audiences similarly to infographics.
Benefits of using video as an infographic
There are unique advantages to creating informative videos in an infographic style:
- Attention-grabbing – More dynamic and engaging than static infographics.
- Higher comprehension – Motion, sound, narration, and visual flow can improve understanding.
- Accessibility – Reach broader audiences across language and literacy barriers.
- Mobile compatibility – Smartphones have made video extremely shareable and consumable.
- Personable – The tone and narrative style can connect with audiences emotionally.
- Memorability – Video visuals and music are highly retention boosting.
For these reasons, video infographics can be a highly versatile educational medium when thoughtfully executed.
Challenges of using video as infographics
However, there are also unique challenges to creating infographic videos:
- Higher production time and costs than static infographics.
- Difficult to allow non-linear access to information like traditional infographics.
- Constraints around video length for viewer retention.
- Potential lack of visual consistency across medium.
- Requires strategic collaboration between subject matter experts, designers, animators, writers, editors, and voiceover artists.
- Need technical video production and motion graphic skills.
- Limitations for presenting large amounts of data.
There are more elements to consider compared to static infographic design. But the payoff can be worth it for the enhanced engagement and comprehension video infographics can offer audiences.
Best practices for video infographics
Here are some best practices to follow when creating infographic videos:
- Establish a clear educational purpose – Have a specific informational goal with the video.
- Limit on-screen text – Use narration and visuals to communicate key facts.
- Prioritize important information – Guide viewers to key data and takeaways.
- Use captivating visuals – Animations, motion graphics, illustrations.
- Organize content strategically – Arrange visuals in a logical narrative sequence.
- Condense information – Keep video concise and focused on critical info.
- Complement visuals with sound – Use narrative voice, music, and effects carefully.
- Review and refine – Evaluate if video achieves infographic goals.
By focusing on visual information design principles, videos can take on infographic qualities to educate audiences memorably.
Conclusion
Videos can absolutely take on infographic characteristics when designed intentionally to transform data into dynamic visual communication. Though different mediums, videos can inform, educate, and simplify complex information for audiences similarly to infographics. When videos emphasize creative visuals over text, structure content strategically, and craft a compelling visual narrative, they can qualify as infographics in motion. With the right purposeful approach, the infographic medium can be expanded beyond static graphics to include informational videos and animated data visualizations. The kinetic format of video can provide an engaging, accessible way to clearly communicate knowledge.