Information Hierarchy

One of my duties, when I worked as an editorial graphic artist, was researching, writing and designing information graphics. Infographics tend to be simple things like charts, graphs, tables etc., and this is true where space is an issue, editorially speaking. But occasionally, when given the opportunity, I was able to create infographics on a really large scale.

The easiest way to explain what they are is by showing some examples. This example below was uploaded onto the Herald website (since expired) and then quickly re-posted by a Brazilian Lord of the Rings fan (almost 11 years ago).

Follow the link above for a hi-res version. © copyright NZ Herald.

This is another example below, which shows the third in a series of Matariki infographics. The first two were eventually combined, licensed and sold as a poster through the Stardome Observatory store. This link seems like it might be an attempt to do something similar. I suppose it says something about the appeal of the work, that they’re still trying to leverage money off of it, long after I’ve left. 

Follow the link above for a hi-res version. © copyright NZ Herald.

Still, I’m proud of the work I got to produce during this period, especially as I began generating my own editorial projects rather than just being handed them by someone else. A small portfolio of my infographic examples can be viewed here. What I discovered through this process is that anything can be adapted into a infographic, given the right angle, and it helps if it happens to be topical. In addition a good infographic is more than just a visual artifact, it actually contains a written article inside it, constructed like any piece of journalism, requiring careful research and considered, pared back writing. Working on these kinds of projects helped me to develop good editing instincts, and I was always careful to reference my sources. 

All design and visual communication employs a principle known as the hierarchy of information. Put simply, the most important items are signposted (using size, location, colour, contrast) in such a way to make the eye look at this object first. In infographics this hierarchy is made more explicit, in that numbers, arrows, icons, and other items are employed to make it absolutely clear where to start – and the information is often broken down into easily understood steps. This technique is also shared by the language of comics - which uses sequential panels to break the story down into digestible parts, and uses composition (and artwork inside panels) to lead the eye around the page in the correct sequence. Infographic design also often uses comic storytelling as one of its communication tools (such as those found in airline safety instruction sheets). Furthermore infographics use a mix of words and pictures, just as comics do. 

For my Masters project, one of the purposes of employing transmedia will be the dissemination of specific knowledge, by way of storytelling. As well as using infographic elements in the game section, I plan to use the hierarchy principle in the e-comic portion of the project. The most obvious example will be hierarchical comic storytelling, that all comic artists employ (often unconsciously) to tell the story in the most interesting and/or logical way possible. The second use will be inspired by infographic design, which will play a small yet intrinsic part in this dissemination of information. So (even in only a small way) this project will explore comics using infographics, just as infographics sometimes employ comics.