Priddy Library Workshops: Storytelling with Data & Infographics

Source: Daniel Zeevi 2013 (see https://dashburst.com/danielzeevi/95)

The sources listed below provide a few starting points for newcomers looking for data to to help them experiment with infographics for the first time. Librarians can help you locate specific data set in different subject areas.

Infographics can be created with:

• Dozens of infographic-specific tools exist. A free option with limited access is generally available, with a wider range of templates and functions accessible for a monthly fee. Piktochart, Visme, Canva, and Easel.ly offer the broadest selection of images and templates, although users may want to browse the images available in a wide number of tools (e.g., Adobe Create Cloud Express or Lucidchart) before selecting an option that suits their requirements.
• Adobe Illustrator. A vector graphics editor such as Illustrator can provide more sophisticated image manipulation. Part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud application, Illustrator is the industry standard for creating static infographics.
• Tableau allows users to create dynamic and interactive visualizations without users needing to learn a programming language. Tableau story points, in particular, are designed to present information in sequential order, like many infographics.
• Microsoft PowerPoint. Make infographics from scratch or use a series of infographic templates designed for PowerPoint by both Microsoft and external vendors.

Users with coding experience may prefer to create static or interactive graphics in R or D3.js. While D3 is the most widely used dynamic visualization tool on the web, the R language underpins the infographics of several media outlets, including the BBC. Python programmers also have access to a growing number of visualization libraries.