Information Graphics - Explaining the Complex Using Graphics and Animation

November 12, 2007

Using Graphics and Animations to Explain Things

starbucks-macdonalds2Did you ever have a really complex concept or idea to express. Often times, words alone are not enough to convey the information in an effective way. Sometimes, I can put together a few PowerPoint bullets (ugh!), maybe a graph or chart, of if I’m feeling like exceeding expectations, I’ll throw together a Visio flowchart. These all help, but if you really want to knock people’s socks off, you need a high quality Information Graphic.

Information-Design has a great list of articles on the art of Information Graphics. Strangely enough, there is not a single image on the entire page.

Illustrations that Tell a Story

Princeton had a piece on Information Graphics on their International Networks Archive site. (The picture at the top of this post and some other cool ones can be found there.)

Information Graphics as Animations or Videos

There are some great examples of Information Graphics in Music Videos, Commercials, and Performance Art. Here are some good ones that I found on Youtube:

This Royksopp Video for “Remind Me” is the best animation that I have ever seen. If I had these guys at my beck and call, I could teach or explain any topic on Earth.