Create infographics in six simple steps

As enablers of change, we often need to communicate complex topics. We know people don’t like reading too many words, or watching videos more than a few minutes long. So in this episode we’re going to explore infographics and how we can easily create them in six simple steps. 

In today’s world, our extension messages need to be clear and concise to be able to cut through the plethora of information out there. Infographics offer us a way of doing this as they play to our natural attraction to visual content. Charts, icons, and illustrations can transform complex data, trends, and best practices into engaging and memorable content.

Infographics can help our messages stick in several ways. They can help unravel complex processes by laying them out visually. Imagine explaining soil health, where an infographic could visually depict layers, microbes, and the impact of practices, all on a single page. We can also use infographics to highlight trends over time, as they make comparisons easy. For instance, we could showcase the rise of precision agriculture, or use a bar chart to show the year-on-year increase in farms using GPS technology or drones. 

We can showcase the benefits of a new practice by visually demonstrating the return on investment over time of adopting new methods. And infographics can also promote awareness. Imagine a visually compelling infographic outlining the signs and symptoms of footrot in sheep, along with steps for prevention and control. And we can boost engagement and sharing of our content. Eye-catching infographics are more likely to be shared on social media, extending the reach of our extension messages.

So how can we easily create an infographic? It’s can be straightforward, even without a degree in graphic design! Here are six simple steps to create an infographic.

1. Focus on a clear and concise message. Before starting the design, we should outline the key points we want to convey. Infographics should summarise information into easily digestible chunks. Decide on the main message and structure the content logically. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to organise information clearly.
2. Use online tools and templates. We’ve both used Canva and heard good things about some online platforms like Piktochart. Both offer user-friendly interfaces with a variety of templates. These tools allow us to drag and drop elements, customise colours and fonts, and incorporate icons and images. Whichever tool you use, start by choosing a template that fits the topic, then adjust it to match the message and audience.
3. Incorporate visual elements. Use charts, icons, and images to represent data and concepts visually. For example, bar graphs can show yield comparisons, icons can represent different types of crops, and images can depict farm equipment. Visual elements should complement the text, making the information more engaging and easier to understand.
4. Keep the design simple and clean. Avoid cluttering the infographic with too much information. Use plenty of white space to separate sections and make the content more readable. Stick to a consistent colour scheme and font style to maintain a professional appearance. Limit the use of different fonts to one or two to keep the design cohesive.
5. Add interaction. For digital infographics, consider adding interactive elements like clickable links, hover effects, or embedded videos. Tools like Infogram and Visme offer features to create interactive infographics. These elements can engage viewers more deeply and provide additional information without overwhelming the main message.
6. Test and iterate. Before finalising our infographic, test it with a small audience to ensure it effectively communicates the intended message. Ask for feedback on clarity, design, and overall impact. Use this feedback to make any necessary adjustments. We can’t over-emphasise the importance of this step, as we’re often blind to how our messages can be misinterpreted. 

By following these simple steps, we can create compelling infographics that effectively extend our messages and engage our audience. These visual tools can be particularly useful as enablers of change, helping to convey complex information in an accessible way. To demonstrate how easy it is, John created this infographic using Piktochart in a matter of minutes to summarise this episode. Sure, it’s not perfect, but we only wanted to spend a few minutes doing it! 

Well, you’ve read our thoughts, now we’d like to hear yours! Add a comment below and tell us about your experience with infographics, including any tips on the apps you use. If you’ve recently created one, share it with us, as you can add images to your comments. We don’t want this to be just a one-way conversation—join in by sharing your thoughts and ideas with us! 

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