Infographics: A visual representation of data. by John Loudon

Infographics have long been a hot topic from the subtle beginnings with basic graphs to the sophisticated layering now possible through digital software. In this talk John Loudon will cover some of the history of where infographics came from and what caused the sudden surge in their use . The talk will go on to look at a process he implemented into his team as a training and development exercise and also give hints and tips as to how to get you started in creating your own. If you're interested in infographics or just getting a better understanding of how they can be used to leverage data sets then this is the talk for you.

Talk can be viewed here: http://vimeo.com/39483679

Transcript

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2. What is an infographic?
   “Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual
   representations of information, data or knowledge. These
   graphics present complex information quickly and clearly, such as
   in signs, maps, journalism, technical writing, and education. With
   an information graphic, computer scientists, mathematicians, and
   statisticians develop and communicate concepts using a single
   symbol to process information.”
   - Freebase.com
   

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4. Explanation graphics
   Predates written language
   Data visualisation
   Around 300 years old
   Explanation graphics are used to
   explain processes or guide you
   through something. Flat pack
   instructions and museum information
   boards are their most common
   applications.
   Data visualisation is most commonly
   used for business and is the
   representation of research. For this
   reason when people talk about
   infographics, it’s most likely data
   visualisation they mean.
   Where infographics fit in design
   

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5. The Good, the Bad and
   the Infographics
   

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6. What makes a good infographic?
   Celebrate the data (data first, visual second)
   Gives the user a decent chunk of data to work with
   Delivers on topic
   Good range of sources
   Designers have considered the other options
   

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7. How Does Los Angeles Move?
   

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8. Stunning... but,
   where is the
   DATA ?
   

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10. Clydebank Blitz
    

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12. Step 1: Coming up with the idea
    

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13. Step 2: Data, sketching and concept
    

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14. TOP 5 DEFENCE
    SUPPLIERS
    Total Spend
    TOP 5 DEFENCE
    BUYERS
    Total Spend
    £4,012,659,890.71
    from the top 10 defence buyers since 1 January 2011
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
    Transactions Total Spend Average Spend per item
    Ministry of Defence 23794 £3,750,061,675.30 £157,605.35
    Defence Science and Technology Laboratory 2067 £200,023,147.59 £96,769.79
    Met Office 347 £26,662,541.98 £76,837.30
    Defence Support Group 208 £14,045,843.47 £67,528.09
    Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations 201 £11,304,917.06 £56,243.37
    Transactions Total Spend Average Spend per item
    Babcock 1274 £208,156,725.80 £163,388.32
    Aspire Defence Limited 231 £166,675,197.60 £721,537.65
    Barclays Bank PLC 69 £147,846,807.88 £2,142,707.36
    Purple Foodservice Solutions Limited 67 £112,891,609.07 £1,684,949.39
    BP International Limited 94 £111,449,855.32 £1,185,636.76
    1. Defence, Security and Emergency Services
    2. Construction and Property
    3. Finance and Related Services
    4. Energy, Fuels and Utilities
    5. Vehicles and Transport
    6. Communications Broadcasting Equipment and Services
    7. Consultancy, Legal and Professional Services
    8. Medical, Health and Social Work Services
    9. Research and Development
    10. Education and Training
    1,378,997
    £49,157,614,878.37
    Tracker Spend Analysis Launched
    Key:
    Key Events
    Total UK
    Public Sector
    Spend
    Transactions
    M A R K E T F O C U S
    www.contracts.mod.uk :: Vol 9 No 24 :: 30 November 2011 :: MOD DCB :: 15
    ith an annual procurement spend of £14 billion,the UK MOD
    requires a varied range of goods and services,making it a key
    buying authority and customer for private sector suppliers of both
    military and non-military related services.
    The launch of the UK Transparency Agenda in May 2010 made it a mandatory
    requirement for central government to publish spend transactions worth over
    £25,000 – opening up government spending to the public and making each
    department accountable for what they are actually buying.Alongside this,the
    budget cuts and efficiencies announced since November 2010 across government
    have brought all spending activity under deeper scrutiny than ever before.
    By sourcing contract opportunity information and defence spend intelligence*,
    the infographic presentation below provides a snapshot view of the UK defence
    industry in 2010-11 with some of the key events that have taken place,showing
    the impact on contracts being awarded and actual spending activity.
    See where the most contracts are being awarded,assess whether you supply to
    the biggest buyers or are in direct competition with the most popular suppliers and
    rank where your industry sector sits within the top 10 for defence spend.
    For further contract opportunities within the defence sector sign up to a
    one-month FREE trial of Defence Contracts International (DCI) by visiting
    www.dcicontracts.com,and for a full view of UK defence industry spend sign up to
    Tracker Spend Analysis for FREE at www.trackerspendanalysis.co.uk – your only
    place to gain real insight into the UK public sector marketplace.
    W
    UK Defence Industry –
    The Complete Picture
    14 :: MOD DCB :: 30 November 2011 :: Vol 9 No 24 :: www.contracts.mod.uk
    Government Change
    PM David Cameron announces Transparency Agenda
    to allow the public to view how public sector money
    is being spent
    £33,698,926,908.40
    647,344
    Spending Review
    Chancellor George Osborne publishes
    Spending Review detailing potential
    departmental budget cuts
    Apr 10 May 10 Jun 10 Jul 10 Aug 10 Sep 10 Oct 10 Nov 10 Dec 10 Jan 11 Feb 11 Mar11 Apr 11 May 11 Jun 11 Jul 11 Aug 11 Sep 11
    Scotland
    21%
    West Midlands
    28%
    South East
    21%
    Yorkshire & Humber
    5%
    East Midlands
    5%
    Wales
    5%
    London
    7%
    North East
    3%
    North West
    1%
    N Ireland
    1% South West
    3%
    Defence Contracts
    in the last 3 months
    * Contract opportunities taken from Defence Contracts International (DCI) – www.dcicontracts.com;
    UK defence spend intelligence derived from data published by the MOD detailing spending over £25,000
    which has been aggregated and extracted using Tracker Spend Analysis –
    www.tendermatch.co.uk/spendAnalysis/home.html.
    For the purpose of the infographic below,buyers classified as ‘Defence’are those within the MOD family,
    including Dstl,Met Office,Defence Support Group,UK Hydrographic Office,Royal Hospital Chelsea GIA,Council
    of Reserve Forces’and Cadets’Associations,British Defence Staff – US,and National Museum of the Royal Navy.
    Top 5 Defence Buyers
    Top 5 Defence Suppliers
    Popular Industry Sectors
    £1,000,000,000,00
    £500,000,000,00
    Step 3: Tighten and finalise
    

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15. Benefits
    Instils ‘content’ before ‘design’ in teams
    Engages your customers/readers better
    Encourages better communication/collaboration
    Helps identify who your key players are
    Breaks reliance on favoured design methods
    

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