5 Characteristics of Good Infographics
Experts emphasize the importance of simplicity.15 Baxter et al. (2021) found that reviewers used these words to describe good infographics: “clear, clean, easy to use, calm and straightforward”; these for average ones: “effective, clear, straightforward, accessible and easy to use”; and these for poor ones: “dated, overwhelming, hard to use, confusing and ineffective”.42
Dunlap and Lowenthal (2016), writing for design expert learners, wrote that visuals are powerful for human learning when they effectively use visual organization and structure to reflect relationships, describe how parts of the whole interact, and reveal the storyline.2 They noted that infographic effectiveness is influenced by how pleasing it is to view, how easy it is to read, and how well it achieves the objectives. They wrote that an infographic succeeds when it “efficiently, precisely, and clearly conveys abstract ideas and complex and dense content that would otherwise require a lengthy narrative”.
Butdisuwan et al. (2024) identified key design elements for successful dissemination of research infographics among health professionals, from most to least frequent:6
- Clear and concise content.
- Engaging visuals and graphics.
- Effective data visualisation techniques.
- Use of appropriate colour schemes and fonts.
- Incorporation of relevant charts, graphs, or diagrams.
- Attention to design principles and aesthetics.
- Alignment with the target audience’s preferences and needs.
- Proper use of hierarchy and visual organisation to guide the viewer’s attention.
- The consistent and cohesive visual style throughout the infographic.
- Incorporation of storytelling elements to make the information more relatable and memorable.
- Easily accessible.
- Appropriate for patients’ needs.
- Easily understood.
- Compatible with patients’ values and lifestyles.
- Compatible with other information give to patient.
- Easily remembered.
- Easily referenced.
- Visually appealing.
- Efficiently and economically prepared.
A study of infographics used to disseminate research findings found that many did not provide sufficient information for readers to fully interpret study findings.43 Most described the population, intervention, comparator and outcomes, but many did not provide enough information on those issues. Bias risks and conflicts of interest were rarely disclosed in the infographics.
A study of the design of infographics for clinical practice guidelines found that general practitioners considered them useful.44 However, the study also found problematic use of complex scales and technical terminology in evidence appraisal. They recommended that infographics designers use clearer messaging for statistics and evidence appraisal.