69. Apply a journalist’s code of ethics - An infographic starts with a great data set. Even if you’re not a
journalist — but an advertiser or independent contractor, say — you need to represent the data
ethically in order to preserve your credibility with your audience. Don’t source from blogs. Don’t
source from Wikipedia. Don’t misrepresent your data with images.
Find the story in the data - There’s a popular misconception that creating a great infographic just
requires hiring a great graphic designer. But even the best designer can only do so much with poor
material. Mapping out the key points in your narrative should be the first order of business. “The
most accessible graphics we’ve ever done are the ones that tell a story. It should have an arc, a climax
and a conclusion,” Langille says. When you find a great data set, mock up your visualization first and
figure out what you want to say, before contacting a designer.
Make it mobile and personal - As the media becomes more sophisticated, designers are developing
non-static infographics. An interactive infographic might seem pretty “sexy,” Langille says, but it’s
much less shareable. A video infographic, on the other hand, is both interactive and easy to port from
site to site. Another way to involve readers is to create a graphic that allows them to input and share
their own information.
http://www.wired.com/design/2012/07/you-suck-at-infographics/
