How to Create an Infographic

Defining the objective, target audience, and core message

Without direction, there are no results. First, decide what you want to achieve and for whom:

• Objective: to inform, persuade, train, report, or engage. Link this to a single metric, such as clicks, sign-ups, or internal adoption.
• Target audience: level of knowledge, jargon, available time, and device usage. A specialist can handle more detail than a broad business audience.
• Key message: A single sentence that captures the key insight. Example: "With Process X, we save 28 percent of the time per order."

Use your goal to guide your choices: fewer elements, more emphasis on what demonstrates or explains what matters. Omit anything that doesn’t reinforce the core message. Also explore infographic formats to determine which one best suits your goal.

Choose the right type of infographic and format

Let the design support the story. Common types:

• Process: step-by-step guide or workflow, ideal for onboarding and SOPs.
• Comparison: A vs. B or before-and-after, useful for decision-making.
• Timeline: chronology, roadmap, research process.
• Hierarchy: organizational chart, pyramid, priorities.
• Data-driven: percentages, KPIs, and benchmarks presented in charts.
• Map-based: regions, coverage, logistics.

Want to present information in a dynamic way? Consider an animated infographic.

Next, choose the format based on the channel and device. The guidelines below work well in practice:

• Website/blog dimensions: 1200 x 2400 — Optimized for desktop and mobile
• LinkedIn feed: 1200 x 1350 — Vertical orientation preferred in the feed
• Instagram feed: 1080 x 1350 — Full-screen
• Stories/Reels: 1080 x 1920 — Full-screen mobile
• A4 print: 2480 x 3508 — 300 dpi for a sharp print

From data to story: collecting, filtering, and organizing

Start broad, end sharp:

1. Collect: figures, definitions, quotes, sources, visuals. Note the source and date for each data point.
2. Cluster: Group information by theme or question. Use 3 to 5 main sections to create a sense of balance.
3. Prioritize: What data best supports your core message? Give that data the most visual prominence.
4. Story arc: problem – insight – solution – impact. That keeps the reader engaged.

Want to make your story even more impactful? Dive into visual storytelling with animation.

Create rough sketches using boxes and arrows. Start by adding titles, subheadings, and key figures, then fill in the supporting details. This prevents design decisions from overshadowing the content. A clear briefing for your infographic helps define the scope, purpose, and deliverables.

Design principles that make a difference

• Visual hierarchy: 1 main heading, 2 to 3 subheadings, consistent font sizes. Make key figures 20 to 40 percent larger than the supporting text.
• Color: a maximum of 1 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 accent color. Use contrast to improve readability and maintain color consistency across categories.
• Typography: Two fonts are sufficient. Pair a display font for headings with an easily readable font for body text.
• Spacing: generous margins and white space around blocks. It’s better to have a little less space than to make it look cramped.
• Icons and illustrations: use a consistent style and line weight. Label icons with short, specific descriptions. When creating animations, it helps to decide on the style in advance—for example, infographic animation versus character animation.
• Data visualization: Choose charts that fit the story:
  • Bar: category comparisons
  • Line: trend over time
  • Pie: divided into a maximum of 5 slices
  • Bullet/Progress: Target vs. Actual
  • Map: Geographical Differences

Do you work with animated elements? Explore motion graphics for clear, dynamic transitions.

Quick test: Can you read the title and two key figures within 3 seconds? If not, cut down on text or increase contrast and white space. Also, check contrast, alt text, and reading order according to the guidelines for accessible infographics.

Tools and workflow: from concept to export

If you're wondering how to create an infographic or how to make infographics quickly and neatly, there are several ways to get started:

• Template-based tools like Canva, Visme, or Venngage are quick and easy to use for non-designers. Be sure to maintain a consistent brand style and grid.
• Professional design in Adobe Illustrator offers maximum control over style, color, and typography. Ideal for brand-sensitive content and print.
• Data links via tools like Google Sheets keep charts up to date.

Workflow tip: work in layers. Start with the structure and headings, then add charts, followed by icons, and save the final adjustments to color and typography for last. Define the look and feel in advance using a style frame. Export as a PNG or JPG for the web, and as a PDF at 300 dpi for print.

How to Create an Infographic in Word

Word isn't ideal for complex visuals, but it can handle a simple infographic:

1. Select a blank A4 page and increase the margins in Page Setup.
2. Use the "Insert" menu to create shapes for blocks and arrows, and SmartArt for steps or processes.
3. Insert charts by going to Insert > Chart and pasting your data.
4. Use text boxes for titles and numbers, and set text wrapping to "Around text."
5. Save as a PDF for a clean export. Check the resolution before printing.

Limit yourself to 3 to 5 sections and leave plenty of white space. For brand consistency and more complex data visualizations, a design tool or outsourcing is a better option.

Where AI helps—and where it doesn't

• Specifically: summarizing source material, rewriting it into clear bullet points, suggesting titles and section structures, and generating ideas for alternative icons or illustrations.
• Not: ensuring subtle nuances in brand typography and a consistent icon style without human oversight; accurately displaying complex data without validation.

Use AI as a co-pilot for text and structure, not as an automatic design generator.

Step-by-step guide to getting started today

1. Formulate your core message using your goal and insight.
2. Select 3 to 5 data points that support this.
3. Choose the type of infographic that fits your story.
4. Sketch a wireframe with headings, charts, and a call to action.
5. Set up the basics in your tool: grid, colors, typography.
6. Visualize data using up to two chart types.
7. Add icons in a single style and label them briefly.
8. Fine-tune the contrast, alignment, margins, and file format.
9. Test it on mobile and desktop, and have a colleague review it.
10. Publish and track click-through rates, reading time, or shareability.

When to do it yourself and when to outsource

Doing it yourself works well for internal communications, newsletters, or quick social media posts that aren’t too complex. Outsourcing is worth it when one or more of the following apply:

• High brand impact or wide external reach
• Complex data that requires absolute accuracy
• Need for unique illustrations, icon sets, and animations
• Multilingualism or adaptation for video and presentations

Are you thinking about having an infographic created? We’d be happy to help you decide on the approach, style, and formats.

Animation Agency custom infographics that are brand-consistent, data-accurate, and visually distinctive. We collaborate with you from the initial briefing, involve your team at every step, and keep refining the design until it’s just right. In our portfolio of infographic examples, you’ll find work for clients such as VekaBest, NXTGEN Hightech, WatchTower Security Solutions, and KRN. Curious to see how your story fits into a single image? Request a free quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an infographic, and how do you create one?

An infographic is a visual summary of information that includes text, icons, and charts. Start with a clear goal and target audience, choose the right type (e.g., process- or data-driven), structure your information into 3 to 5 blocks, and translate that into visuals with a clear hierarchy, a limited color palette, and appropriate charts. First, create a rough sketch, then design layer by layer, and export it for the intended channel.

How do you create a good infographic that sticks in people's minds?

Focus on one key message, support it with up to five key data points, use consistent typography and color coding, and choose charts that reinforce your story. Keep text to short sentences, let white space do the work, and make sure the title and key figures can be scanned in three seconds. Conclude with a clear call to action when relevant.

How do you create an infographic in Word without it looking cluttered?

Use a clean grid, a maximum of two fonts, and three colors. Create your design using SmartArt and charts, add text box titles, and use alignment tools to position shapes precisely. Export as a PDF. For more complex visuals or brand-specific designs, it’s better to use a professional tool or outsource the work.

Can AI create an infographic?

AI can help you structure content, write headlines, and suggest icons or layouts. However, creating a complete, brand-compliant design with accurate graphics and consistent styling requires human design expertise and an intuitive understanding of data. Use AI as a tool to speed up the process, not as the final designer.

Can ChatGPT create an infographic?

ChatGPT doesn’t create visual files, but it can streamline your text, summarize information, and suggest a logical section structure or call to action. Combine ChatGPT with a design tool to visualize the result and have a designer ensure brand consistency.

What is an example of an infographic?

Examples include a 6-step onboarding process, an A vs. B comparison with three key metrics, a timeline of innovation milestones, or a KPI overview showing targets versus actual results. Our portfolio features industry examples from high-tech, healthcare, finance, and retail that effectively combine data and storytelling.