Infographics & Instructographics: What Are They Used For?

  • 2023-02-17

Infographics are common — it is a staple in any viewable content online and even on television. However, there is a new player in town called instructographics, and big businesses, including an online casino, use this. Today, we will explore these two things and find out what they are used for. 

What Is an Infographic?

An infographic is a photo or work of art that attempts to show data through visualization. It is a collection of images, and the general rule of thumb is that there is a minimal amount of text. The goal is to make it easy for a reader to understand concepts about a particular subject matter. 

An example is a drawing of a human body, and on each part, there is a text that says the percentage of people globally that have cancer. So, there is a text pointing to the liver, another one for the lungs, breast, heart, etc. 

What Is an Instructographic?

An instructographic, on the other hand, is like an infographic, but the intention is to provide instructions. For example, a picture of a microwave with text that shows what each button does is an instructographic.

Another example of an instructographic is a series of photos of how to make something. Often, this is seen in model kits where there is a piece of paper that shows what parts to assemble first — kids learn how to assemble these model kits on their own. 

An instructographic does not necessarily need words. The symbols, most of the time, are enough to convey meaning and instructions.  

What Are These Two Things Used For?

In essence, an infographic is used for data visualization. It makes it easier to remember data, especially those that contain percentages and numbers. 

An instructographic is for conveying instruction — a series of steps to do something properly, without lengthy text. An instructographic is mostly used in toys that require assembly or in appliances that require a set-up before they can work.

Tips to Create Infographics

An infographic will only work if you meet certain elements, which we will discuss below:

- Data – your infographic must have data, and this information must be conveyed through text. In addition, there has to be an arrow that connects the text to a specific part of the picture. 

- Design – the infographic must follow a standardized color palette. It is a work of art, so there has to be uniformity and cohesion.

- Copy – copy refers to a type of writing that convinces a person, or reader, to take action. You need good copy to make your infographic interesting. The copy includes the headline and all other texts that are in it.

So, while you can meet all these, you must also take into account the veracity of your content. You must not lie in your infographic, as you are not helping if you do this. If people find out it is wrong, they will also call you out, and you will lose credibility. 

Never forget that your infographic must be useful. To some degree, people who read it must be able to say that they learned something from your infographic. 

You can also add a story if you want, but it is not always a requirement. Stories are good, but not if your infographic is about hard facts. 

Tips to Create Instructographics

Below are some of the key things to remember when creating an instructographic.

- Steps – an instructographic will not be complete without the step. So, you must label each step as “step 1,” step 2,” etc. You should also write text on each step on what to do. 

- Images – you need to add an image for each step and ensure that this step is aligned with the instruction. For example, if you say, “Cut the rope in half,” you must show a picture of a rope and a pair of scissors in the process of cutting the rope in half.  

- Goal – the last part of an instructographic is the goal or the result. You must show the final product or how it should look at the end of the series of steps. 

Like the infographic, you must use the element of consistency. If you are teaching how to paint an egg for Easter, you must use the same egg every step of the way. You cannot use another egg that has already been pre-painted, or it will confuse the reader. 

For example, if the egg in the step 1 is blue, do not use a red egg in the next step if it is not a part of the entire process. It is confusing, and your reader will not like it. If you broke the egg while doing the project, the only course of action is to redo it.  

Summary

Both infographics and instructographics are useful to visually represent data and ideas. However, one should not interchange these two, as the reader or viewer can easily get confused. 

For as long an instruction is involved, you must use an instructographic. If what you want is to represent data, you must use an infographic.