The Anatomy of an Infographic: 6 Essential Elements

Structure for success.

Video clips and emojis are rapidly becoming the preferred means of communication in today’s digital world. To appease shorter attention spans, marketers must find new and exciting ways to share ideas with their target audiences.

Infographics are fun and easy to digest — when executed properly, that is. Here are 6 essential elements to include when creating your very own branded infographic:

1. Descriptive Title and Subheads

Infographics simplify lengthy or complex data by presenting it into a visually pleasing package. You want readers to know what they’re looking at right away by including a descriptive title and subheads, like the ones on this clever infographic that HighJump created for St. Patrick’s Day.

2. Informative Statistics

Informative data puts the “info” in infographic. Make sure your statistics are valuable, relevant, and of course — accurate. Attribute all facts to the reputable sources from which you pulled them.

3. Bold, Thematically Appropriate Color Scheme

Choose a bold color scheme that aligns with the message you’re trying to send. Infographics should do more than communicate information — they should also invoke a certain feeling. If your infographic is on the lighthearted side, for example, avoid dampening the mood with somber colors.

4. Eye-Catching Graphics

Aside from being interesting and informative, infographics should also be eye-catching. After all, you’re competing for the attentions of a digital audience with more than a few choices when it comes to sourcing information relevant to their interests. Make yours the standout favorite.

5. Clearly Organized, Sequential Story

People don’t just want to scan through a bunch of data that they could find themselves with a quick Google search — they want a compelling narrative. Infographics should be clearly structured and intentionally ordered, allowing the reader to digest the information they contain within the proper context.

6. Specially Formatted Facts

Make sure to highlight the most pertinent facts in your infographic by formatting them uniquely — whether you choose to highlight, increase the font size, or bold the typeface.