Jane B. Montero

An infographic is a visual piece of content that presents images, facts, statistics, and other media in a concise format. It typically includes text, charts, and icons to present information in an engaging and memorable way.

The ability to design a successful infographic requires creativity and calls for an understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. Learning how to create their own infographics based on various prompts is an excellent way for students to develop strong visual communication skills that will serve them well in their future careers.

A Brief History of Infographics
I begin the lesson with a slideshow presentation on the history of infographics. From cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs to London’s first subway maps, humans have always used visuals to communicate important information. In the 1970s, the field of graphic design took the lead in designing symbols for quick and simple communication.

Designing infographics allows students to interact with fonts, colors, symbols, and composition in a fun and engaging way.

German graphic designer and typographer Otl Aicher (1922–1991) developed a system of pictograms for the 1972 Summer Olympics. His work opened the door for designers to develop visual alphabets, including recognizable symbols for crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian crossings.

In 1993, when the world wide web burst onto the scene, designers had the ability to use technology to generate flyers, advertisements, and other marketing tools.

Project Steps
Using free online software, creating infographics is an excellent way for students to learn how to express ideas clearly and creatively while building a strong foundation in graphic design.

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