The power of infographics : using pictures to communicate and connect with your audiences

Foreword by Guy Kawasaki     xiiiSECTION I:  VISUAL COMMUNICATIONChapter 1  Infographics 101     3What Are Infographics?     3   Infographics Defined     3   Infographic History     6The Science of Visualization     7   Hardwiring     7   Easy on the Mind     7   Visual Learning     11Why Infographics Work for Business     12   Easy to Digest     12   Shareability     15   The “Cool” Factor     16Endnotes     16SECTION II:  BUSINESS INFORMATION NEEDSChapter 2  Visualizing Numbers and Concepts     21Statistics     21   Using Data to Tell a Story     22   The Benefits of Visualizing Research     24   Understanding the Risks     25Ideas and Concepts     26   Using Visual Metaphors     27   Using Cartoons to Communicate Your Ideas     30   Case Study: The Kronos “Time Well Spent” Cartoon Series     33Endnotes     34Chapter 3  Visualizing How Things Work and Are Connected     35Process     35   The Jargon Dilemma     37   Infographics Help Explain What You Do     38Hierarchy     42   Business Hierarchies     42Relationships     47   Simplified Systems Thinking     49   Business Models     49Endnotes     55Chapter 4  Visualizing Who, When, and Where     57Personality     57   Brand Humanization     58   Infographic Resumes     60Chronology     65   Business Timelines     65Geography     69   Business Maps     69Endnotes     72SECTION III:  CREATING INFOGRAPHICSChapter 5  Infographic Prep Work     75Purpose     77   Understanding Your Audiences’ Information Needs     77   Audience Analysis     77   Setting Infographic Objectives     79The Art of Observation     82   Seeing     82   Listening     83Endnotes     86Chapter 6  Processing Your Ideas     87Recording Your Thoughts     87   I’m Not an Artist     87   Different Ways to Document     88Info-Synthesis     90   The Five W’s (and One H) of Infographics .     94Endnotes     98Chapter 7  Designing Your Infographics     99The Critics     99Infographic DIY     100   An Infographic Rant     100   The DIY Infographic Formula     103Outsourcing     108   Going Pro     109   Working with Students     114Endnotes     118Chapter 8  Publishing Your Infographics     119Audience Research     119Online Publishing Channels     120   Infographic Home Base     122   Infographic Outposts     126Offline Publishing Opportunities     133Endnotes     133SECTION IV:  BUSINESS VALUEChapter 9  Infographics as an Internal and External Communication Tool . . . . 137Using Infographics to Build Your Brand     137   The Business of Infographics     138   Content Marketing     139   Promoting Your Infographics     148Infographics Inside the Organization     153   Internal Adoption of Infographics     153   Internal Communication Opportunities     154Endnotes     155Chapter 10  Infographic ROI     157Measuring the VOI (Value of Infographics)     159   Tangible Metrics     160   Intangible Benefits     163Chapter 11  Infographic Resources     165Guide to Visual Elements     165Infographic Tools .     175   Visualization Tools     175   Design Elements     178Further Reading     179Information Designers, Consultants, and Agencies     181   Agencies     182   Freelance Designers     184   Consultants     187Index     189