Information Design Specialization for Infographics and Visual Storytelling

Introduction

This lesson shows how infographics can turn complex ideas into clear, emotional stories. You’ll learn how data design can spark change, bring awareness to meaningful topics, and help you express what matters most—visually and powerfully. Get inspired to explore, experiment, and use data illustration as your own voice for change!

1m

Inspiration / Gabrielle Merite

Inspiration is a daily practice. It is a muscle you can work out at any moment. In this lesson, I will show you some examples of news magazines and artists that have influenced my work.

4m

Inspiration / Sonja Kuijpers

In this lesson, I will show you some of the work of people who I admire. They work manually and analogue in data visualization: counting, noting, and presenting data. Nature is also an influence and a stress relief for me: I like to go out and take my camera with me.

3m

Inspiration / Federica Fragapane

In this lesson, I will talk about the worlds that had and still have an impact on my approach to design.

5m

Inspiration / Catalina Plé

Next, I would like to talk about some of my most significant influences and how they have impacted my work and creativity, even if I wasn't aware of it at the time.

3m

Inspiration / Jing Zhang

My creative inspiration comes from many different sources. In this video, I will introduce you to some, such as an animated film by the studio Ghibli, Polly pockets, Ikea instructions, and biology illustrations.

2m

What is Data Illustration?

Let’s start by clarifying why I call most of my work data illustrations rather than visualizations.

4m

The Quest for Inspiring Data

The module project will be based on data. But where should you look for it? I’ll walk you through how I find inspiring subjects and track the associated data.

3m

Creating a Data Brief

Now that we've found the data, we’ll dig deeper into the subtleties of the story: What insights are conveyed by the data, what type of bias should we look for, and how do people feel about this data?

5m

Creative Direction and Conceptualizing

The story is ready! Now, I’ll show you how to start thinking of the visual direction for your data visualization. Then, I will discuss how to look for inspiration across different artistic mediums, design, and photography fields.

3m

Visual Research

Now that your word map is complete, I will show you how you can use those keywords to do your visual research.

4m

Exploring Data Charts

To get started, I will quickly review how to choose the right chart and demonstrate how I test charts out in Excel.

8m

Quick Thumbnail Sketches

Now, I will show you some examples of what I usually do to apply my creative ideas to quick thumbnail sketches to test composition.

5m

Finding Photography

In this lesson, I will discuss when you can source images which are free of rights and in the public domain. We will also consider the characteristics of each image in terms of quality, color, and diversity.

4m

Creating the Prototype 1

In this lesson, I will guide you in making a quick prototype in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop based on the thumbnail sketch and the Excel chart.

19m

Creating the Prototype 2

Once you have the prototype ready to go, the next step is to present it to the client. Let me show you how I prefer to do this.

2m

Cleaning Up the Images

In this lesson, I will show you two easy techniques to cut out images from their background.

7m

Setting the Scene

Next, I will give you an example of how to set the mood in the creation of a realistic scene—a desert at sunset—through gradients and imagery.

10m

Creating the Chart Element in 3D

Next, I will show you how to create a 3D transparent bar chart with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

14m

Adding Chart Icons 1

In this lesson, I will show you another technique in Adobe Illustrator to create 3D Icons.

17m

Adding Chart Icons 2

Now that my chart is ready, I will integrate it into the landscape, hiding it behind the dune.

6m

Adding the Human Element and Realistic Touches 1

We will use the images we selected and cleaned, incorporate them in our scene, and make some final adjustments to bring them all together.

19m

Adding the Human Element and Realistic Touches 2

In the second part of this lesson, I will make the final touches to improve the mood, look, and feel of the piece.

12m

Legend and Typography

In this lesson, I will show you how I select the typefaces I use for my charts and consider accessibility when setting up legends and titles.

11m

Exporting the Data Illustration

The time has come to share your illustration! Here, I will show you how to export your piece for social media as a carousel. I will also go over the changes you would need to make to get it ready for print.

4m

Alternative Text for Accessibility

Alternative text is one of the ways to make your work accessible to a wider audience. In this lesson, I will show you the process I use to write it.

5m

The Subject of Your Visualization

First, I’ll share with you how to find something you’d want to visualize; a constructive approach is looking for subjects that touch you on a personal level.

2m

Looking for Data

It's time to dive into your subject and choose the angle of your project. Next, you will decide which method or technique you're going to apply. Look for inspiration in several directions―it can help you choose colours, style, and approach.

7m

Harvesting the Data

Now I'll walk you through how to harvest the data: I'll show you how to manually screen the book and collect the information you will use as the data source for your visualization.

11m

The ‘Data’ for Your Visualization

In this lesson, you are going to take a look at the collected data.

3m

Sketching and Storyline

Now you can begin sketching your ideas to decide how you want to style, design, and present your visualization.

10m

Method and Colours

During this lesson, I will bring together the data, ideas, inspiration, and tools.

12m

Workflow

To show you how I usually work, I will share the steps to go from Excel to Illustrator. I will also share my basic setup for the design.

1m

Incorporating the Elements into Your Design 1

It's time to arrange the parts, bring in extra layers of information, and mix it all to the desired result.

18m

Incorporating the Elements into Your Design 2

I'll continue working with the symbols that I assigned to each item of the graph. Then, I'll go back to the original illustration for complementing my project.

16m

Title and Explanation

Let's take care of another important component not to forget to add: the project's title!

2m

Feedback and Final Edits

Now is the time to ask someone for feedback, check if your design meets the goal, and do some final edits.

5m

Sharing Your Work

In this lesson, I will share some final tips on introducing and presenting your new project to the public.

4m

A Visual Translation of Contents: The Role of Perception

In this lesson, I will introduce the field of data visualization, its potential in communicating stories, and the role of perception.

6m

The Questions to Start With

I will now talk about the questions you should ask yourself before starting a new project, the needs and the reasons that can lead to specific design choices, and the very wide range of potential projects that there are to work on.

5m

Visual and Written Words

Next, I will talk about the relationship between visual and written words and their importance while designing visual data narratives.

4m

The Process of Telling Stories with Data

Here I will discuss how to tell stories using data and visual elements, while also considering the way in which such stories will be explored by the readers. I will share with you the process and the reasons behind some projects of mine I'm very fond of.

5m

Using and Challenging Visual Metaphors

In this lesson, I will talk about how we can use—and sometimes challenge!—visual metaphors in our data visualization projects, to create new environments the readers can immerse themselves into.

5m

Selecting the Topic

In this lesson, we will work together on the first phase of the project: finding the data for the story. I will help you to get this process started by showing you how to first locate reliable sources. I suggest choosing a topic that you feel passionate or curious about.

8m

Creating the Dataset 1

In this lesson, I will guide you in creating the dataset using Google Sheets. To get started, you will learn how to import your raw data. I will exemplify how to do this with the data I found related to renewable energy sources, the links for which you can find in the Additional Resources section below.

9m

Creating the Dataset 2

Now that I've streamlined my data down to the top 40 countries, I will begin to include any additional information I'd like to display about consumption per capita, the world region, and the population.

18m

Sketching: The Macrostructure of the Story

Now, I will make the first shift from a table to a storytelling piece. Using the data, I will show you how to start sketching the macrostructure of the piece.

3m

RAWGraphs

In this lesson, I will show you how to use RAWGraphs, a free online tool, to design the first piece of the project.

12m

Adobe Illustrator: Creating the Visualization 1

The next step is to import the graphic into Adobe Illustrator where it will be developed with new elements and information. I will share with you the tricks and tools I use to design both accurate and custom visual elements.

18m

Adobe Illustrator: Creating the Visualization 2

In the second part of this lesson, I will create a leaf-shaped design that will represent the data I collected about consumption per capita. To develop effective visuals, you may need to simplify your data. I will show you how to do this.

15m

Adobe Illustrator: Creating the Visualization 3

At this stage, my project is really starting to take shape! I have finished visualizing each of my 40 countries. Next, I will show you how to pick out the elements that need tweaking before making those necessary adjustments.

16m

Adobe Illustrator: Refining the Visualization

Now I will show you how to refine the visualization you have created. Working on the details with care and attention is an extremely important step of the creative process. Let's face it together!

20m

The Legend and the Text 1

In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to work on the key elements that will help the readers to use and navigate the piece: the legend and the explanatory text.

12m

The Legend and the Text 2

Here, I will continue working on the key that will become integral to the reader's understanding of the visuals. Only by understanding the visuals can they extract the data.

10m

Final Details, Mobile Version, and Export

To conclude, I will talk about the importance of considering the devices that the readers will use. We will work on a mobile version of the project.

12m

The Message and the Audience

First, I will talk about the message and the audience. Infographics are powerful. So we, as infographic creators, need to know what the message we want to deliver is. Since we are going to visualize information, we always have to consider the clarity of the message and, to do so, we need to especially consider who is going to read it.

5m

Sources, Story, and Key Concepts

In this lesson, I will talk about the importance of checking your sources for fact-checking. Once you have written your story, you will identify the key concepts and brainstorm some visual ideas.

9m

Types of Visualizations

What are the different types of visual elements that can be used to make an infographic? The inventory is vast, so I will show you the most common visual elements that can help you depict exactly what you want.

2m

Turning Ideas into Thumbnails

Now it's time to start thinking visually! In this lesson, you will learn how to translate your ideas into visual elements.

17m

Defining the Format and Sketching Visual Information

In this lesson, I will talk about the most common formats and the main differences between them and touch on just a couple of graphic design concepts that will help us from the get-go. I will show you how I put together the visual elements I decided on earlier to tell the story of how coffee is produced from harvest to cup.

8m

Preparing the Digital File

You will have to find the most common print sizes in your area (US sizes are different from the rest of the world, but you can find similar proportions). I will define stroke widths, typefaces, general guides, minimum sizes, etc. In the end, you will have everything ready to go and make an effective workflow.

9m

The Finishing Touches

The next step is to draw (or photograph) the elements we need for the infographic and create the charts. Some basic charts will be directly created in Adobe Illustrator. Here I show you my process!

17m

Proofreading and Posting

Once the design is finished, we export some files to make tests of readability, look for typos, etc. When we're sure that everything is fine, we send the file to the printer and post it on social media. I will give you a few tips on that process and explain how to keep your archives tidy and organized in case you need to create more copies or update the final piece.

1m

Working with Clients

What should be considered when working with clients? Let me give you a few tips that will make your workflow and communication with your clients easier. Above all, remember to be professional and have fun!

2m

What Is an Illustrated Infographic?

We all know what infographics are — information presented in a graphic style. But illustrated infographics take this to the next level: it is information with full-on illustrations. The information is almost secondary to the illustration itself. Yet without the information, the full stories can’t be told. In this lesson, I will explain more in detail what an illustrated infographic is. I will also outline the final project we will work on for this course.

8m

Softwares and Interfaces

In our lessons, we’ll use two different types of software to help us create the illustration. These are Cinema 4D (3D) combined with Adobe Illustrator (2D vector). Before that, I'll show you the basics of combining these tools seamlessly.

7m

Concept, Visual Idea and Mood Board

The concept is just as important as the visual. So you can never spend too much time researching your subject. What I find most interesting in infographics are usually the topics. I often find I want to learn about them just as much as illustrate them. In this lesson, I will show you how to analyse your brief, develop the concept through your research, and how to create your mood board.

6m

Creating the Shape in Illustrator

Using the "Pen Tool" in illustrator, I'll show you how to create the outline that we will later need for the base shape in Cinema 4D. This is the first step in learning how to develop both 2D and 3D skills.

16m

Turning a 2D Shape into a 3D Object

Now, I'll show you how to turn a 2D shape into a 3D object. You will learn how to use the "Merge" tool to import an Illustrator file to Cinema 4D.

12m

Creating Geometric Shapes

After designing the basic 3D plant cell, we can start filling it up with elements such as the vacuole and the nucleus. These are a lot more simple than the endoplasmic reticulum. We can use the built-in tools in Cinema 4D to create those.

9m

Texturing and Lighting

Now that we have a basic 3D model, we can start applying "materials" to give the objects different types of textures. I will also briefly explain "Render Setting" and "Global Illumination". These will make the lighting appear more natural.

9m

Final Sketch

This stage is about planning, how you reach the point where your illustration is finished. For some people, it might seem easier to illustrate straight away with vector drawing. That is also fine too. I find it easier with sketches, so I use Procreate to help me complete my illustration.

8m

Final Illustration 1

In this lesson, we will complete the illustration in Illustrator. There are a lot of elements not yet included in the 3D model, such as the ribosome (the tiny dots outside the endoplasmic reticulum) and the lysosome. These will be easily added in Illustrator.

10m

Final Illustration 2

Now we will add the plants and leaves based on our initial sketch. Don't worry about reproducing it exactly. We will just be following the basic lines of our shapes with the "Pencil Tool".

12m

Final Illustration 3

We still have to add the last missing elements to our infographic. Once that is done, I will show you how to add some texture to the illustration you have just added in Illustrator so that it doesn't look flat compared to your vector. We'll finish by adding the characters.

10m

Designing the Infographic Layout

It's time to design the layout of our infographic, the final process of this project. To that end, I will show you how to add data and information to complete the final design.

9m

How to Promote and Present Your Work

After completing your illustration, of course, you might like to publish it. Here we’ll learn how to present and promote your work through social media platforms. I’ll speak from a judge's point of view (being a Design & Art Direction jury this year) about what would be a presentation standard.

5m