Information graphics (or infographics) are visual interpretations of data designed to communicate information more conveniently and effectively to a media audience. For this project, you will gather data for an assigned topic and create an infographic for an actual media audience.
Readings and Resources
- “Information Graphics”, by Wikipedia
Examples
- Flickr Infographics Collection, compiled by Flickr
- “40 Useful and Creative Infographics” by Jacob Gube, Six Revisions
- Infographics Depot of Information Graphics, by Infographics Collector
- “Space Shuttle Columbia Infographics Collection,” compiled by Paul Nixon, Nixlog
Instructions
For this project, you will —– . The following guidelines apply:
- Select a topic of interest to the campus community. The topic should lend itself to presentation as an infographic.
- Gather all necessary information relevant to the presentation of your topic.
- Make at least three rough sketches
- Sans serif type must be used (Arial);
- A final copy of the infographic should be saved in JPEG format;
- The project must be submitted to the campus newspaper for publication consideration.
Evaluation
Rating Criteria
- 4 = Excellent
- 3 = Above Average
- 2 = Average
- 1 = Below Average
- 0 = Unacceptable (not submitted or plagiarized)
Visual Reporting Skills and Implementation
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Visual reporting skills are excellent. Information is newsworthy and relevant to the community. Subject matter is engaging, accurate, thoroughly researched, and thoughtfully arranged. Information used in infographic is properly attributed. | Visual reporting skills are above average. Information is newsworthy and relevant to the community. Subject matter is engaging, accurate, and thoughtfully arranged. Information used in infographic is properly attributed. May show a minor lapse in reporting skills. | Visual reporting skills are average. Information is newsworthy and relevant to the community. Subject matter is accurate, and basically arranged. Information used in infographic is properly attributed. May show several minor lapses in reporting skills. | Visual reporting skills are below average. Information may not be newsworthy and relevant to the community. Subject matter may not be accurate or arranged effectively. Information used in infographic may not be properly attributed. May show many lapses in reporting skills. |
Design Strategy and Implementation
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Overall design of infographic is excellent. All elements (graphics and typography) are integrated and presented in an exceptional manner, showing a high level of creativity and innovation. Design effectively conveys information to a viewing audience with little to no abstraction. | Overall design of infographic is above average. All elements (graphics and typography) are integrated and presented in a credible manner, showing an acceptable level of creativity and innovation. Design effectively conveys information to a viewing audience with little to no abstraction. May be one minor flaw in the above criteria. | Overall design of infographic is average. All elements (graphics and typography) are integrated and presented in an acceptable manner, showing an average level of creativity and innovation. Design somewhat conveys information to a viewing audience, but may have a problem with abstraction. May have several minor flaws in the above criteria. | Overall design of infographic is below average. All elements (graphics and typography) are not integrated and presented in an acceptable manner, showing a lack of design skill and/or effort. Design does not convey information effectively to a viewing audience and may have problems with abstraction. May have many minor flaws in the above criteria. |
Graphics Quality and Selection
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Selection of graphics is creative, innovative, and effective. Graphics are relevant and do an excellent job of presenting and interpreting the information. Size is appropriate and of proper proportion to overall design. Overall quality of graphics is of the highest level. | Selection of graphics is above average and effective. Graphics are relevant and do an excellent job of presenting and interpreting the information. Size is appropriate and of proper proportion to overall design. Overall quality of graphics is of a credible level. May have one minor flaw in the above criteria. | Selection of graphics is average and somewhat effective. Graphics are relevant in presenting and interpreting the information. Size is appropriate and of proper proportion to overall design. Overall quality of graphics is of an acceptable level. May have several minor flaws in the above criteria. | Selection of graphics is ineffective. Graphics may not be relevant in presenting the information. Graphics do a poor job of interpreting data. Size may be inappropriate and not in proper proportion to overall design. Overall quality of graphics is of an unacceptable level, leading to abstraction for the viewer. |
Typography
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Typography is excellent, clear and easy to read. Type size is appropriate and proportionate in relation to surrounding graphics. A clear hierarchy of type is established and effectively guides the viewer through the infographic. Use of typography exceeds expectations in all areas. | Typography is above average, clear and easy to read. Type size is appropriate and proportionate in relation to surrounding graphics. A clear hierarchy of type is established and effectively guides the viewer through the infographic. May have minor flaws in one of the above listed criteria. | Typography is average, generally clear and easy to read. Type size is appropriate and proportionate in relation to surrounding graphics. A clear hierarchy of type is established and effectively guides the viewer through the infographic. May have minor flaws in several of the above listed criteria. | Typography is difficult to read. Type may be too small for effective communication. Size in some or all areas may be disproportionate in relationship to overall infographic. No discernible hierarchy of type is present, leading to an unacceptable level of abstraction for the viewer. Many flaws present in overall use of type. |
Overall Work Quality and Effort
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Work quality and effort exceeds expectations. | Work quality and effort meets expectations. | Work quality and effort somewhat meets expectations. | Work quality and effort does not meet expectations. |
