Infographics for Presentations
5 minutes read
Wondering about infographics? Are you using infographics in your presentations and marketing? Maybe it’s time to start using presentation infographic templates to save time and money.
Infographics combine data and visual representation with analysis, making them a powerful tool to enhance any presentation. This guide explains what infographics are, how you can use them to better reach and engage your audience, and how to create them quickly and easily. Additionally, you’ll find expert tips for crafting effective presentation infographics.
What Is an Infographic?
To understand infographics, it’s helpful to recognize that the concept isn’t new. Throughout history, charts and graphs have been used to present information effectively. In fact, Google’s Ngram Viewer indicates that the term “information graphic” has been in use for centuries, and discussions of “infographics” date back to the 1970s.
Today, infographics typically refer to graphics that group data and facts around a specific theme and are often shared online. While creating these can be complex, there are simpler methods available. For example, you can create straightforward infographics using Google Slides or PowerPoint infographic templates. You can learn more about customizing an infographic PowerPoint template in the following tutorial:
Benefits of Using Infographics
Simplifying Complex Information
One of the primary advantages of infographics is their ability to simplify complex information. In a world overwhelmed with digital content, infographics offer a way to distill data into digestible visuals. For instance, in the average internet minute, there are:
- Hundreds of thousands of tweets
- Tens of millions of messages via SMS, WhatsApp, and other platforms
- Hundreds of millions of emails
Infographics help cut through this information overload, allowing your audience to make sense of the data.
Enhancing Engagement
According to design and marketing professional Dan Walker, “The digital age has trained us to expect visual evidence.” Infographics combine visual and verbal elements, creating a stronger communication tool that can capture and retain audience attention. The average person becomes distracted in just eight seconds, making engaging visuals crucial for maintaining focus.
Establishing Authority
From a business perspective, sharing data-rich infographics demonstrates expertise. By including well-researched information in your PowerPoint presentations, you showcase your knowledge in your field.
Increasing Brand Awareness and SEO
Infographics are not only highly shareable but also beneficial for SEO. Research indicates that 56% of marketers use visuals in their content, with 37% of those visuals being original materials like infographics. Additionally, when websites embed your infographic and link back to your original source, it can boost your site’s authority in search engine results.
Why Use Infographics in PowerPoint Presentations?
Using infographics in presentations is a smart strategy for making your content more engaging and accessible. Here are several reasons to incorporate infographics into your presentations:
Communicating Insights Effectively
During public speaking engagements, infographics can help convey business insights in a clear and engaging manner. Instead of simply listing facts, you can tell a visual story that helps your audience understand the significance of the data.
Retaining Audience Attention
Utilizing infographics in your presentations can significantly enhance audience retention. Founder and creative director of Creamy Animation, Larry Mutenda, emphasizes the importance of a narrative structure in infographics, highlighting how grouping related information supports a central message.
Supporting Visual Learners
Many people are visual learners, and infographics cater to this learning style. They foster engagement with the material, making them ideal for capturing attention during presentations.
What’s Included in an Infographic?
When creating an infographic, it’s essential to prepare the following elements in advance:
- Text: Include informative text to support your visuals.
- Data: Present relevant research and statistics.
- Charts and Graphs: Utilize these to help your audience understand the data.
- Diagrams: Use diagrams to guide viewers through your data.
- Images: Incorporate images that relate to your topic to enhance understanding.
9 Infographic Creation Tips (+ Expert Quotes)
If you’re ready to create an infographic presentation, consider these expert tips:
1. Do Your Research
Research is a critical step in the infographic creation process. As Kathie Daniel, founder and lead graphic designer of Southpaw Grafix, states, “A good infographic conveys information accurately… Let this research guide your project.”
2. Don’t Forget the Info
Ensure that your infographic includes substantial data. Walker stresses the importance of having real information, stating, “People respond to numbers better than words alone.”
3. Work Out the Story Before the Visuals
Plan your infographic with a clear narrative. Outline your points before focusing on visuals. This approach ensures that your visuals effectively support your story.
Walker advises, “Remember to keep it simple. Good advice for all communication, but particularly important for infographics.”
4. Focus On Your Main Points
Determine the main points of your infographic. These will function like subheadings, guiding your audience through the content. Keep the layout simple and visually appealing.
5. Select the Right Fonts
Choose clear and readable fonts. N’Delamiko Bey suggests using simple sans serif fonts and limiting yourself to two or three styles to keep the focus on the content.
6. Use Gamification
Incorporate gamified elements to engage your audience. Bey notes that presenting information in a game-like format can enhance learning and retention.
7. Use Color to Reinforce Your Message
Thoughtful use of color can strengthen your message. Mutenda recommends aligning colors with the section messages to evoke specific emotions.
8. Remember Your Takeaway
Identify the key takeaway you want your audience to grasp. This focus will help structure your infographic effectively.
9. Think Mobile
Consider how your audience will view the infographic. Daniel warns against fine print, which may be hard to read on smaller screens.
How to Include an Infographic in Your Presentation
To integrate infographics into your presentation:
- Create your presentation in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
- Utilize a PowerPoint or Google Slides infographic template from Envato Elements or GraphicRiver.
- Download the template and import it into your presentation software.
- Customize the text and graphics to suit your content.
By organizing your text, data, icons, and images beforehand, you’ll streamline the customization process and create a compelling infographic presentation.