Whether you work in marketing, research, education, or the non-profit sector, infographics are likely a part of your everyday life. Even if your sector hasn’t jumped on the infographic bandwagon, it is likely that you see infographics as you scroll through social media and blogs.

Despite how widespread infographics are, there is still confusion about what exactly qualifies as an infographic.

Definition of Infographic

According to Merriam Webster dictionary, an infographic is defined as:

A chart, diagram, or illustration (as in a book or magazine, or on a website) that uses graphic elements to present information in a visually striking way.

If we go by this definition of an infographic though, then virtually all types of visual information would be considered an infographic.

Even signs like the one below would be considered an infographic.

 

While useful, we generally now appreciate infographics to be more detailed and complex than a simple sign.

Wikipedia expands on the definition of infographic by saying that,

Infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly.

The key term here is complex information. Hence why street signs aren’t considered infographics by modern standards.

I also like how Venture Beat defines infographic as a “Picture painted with data. Take a quick look and a story emerges from numbers. Look more closely, and a complex narrative emerges from dense clusters of information.”

Key Features of Infographics:

• Goal is to make large amounts of data immediately understandable.
• Information can be quickly digested.
• Visually striking.
• Engaging.

All Infographics Contain:

• Content Almost all infographics use some text to get the message across. However, there are some infographics – such as the IKEA stick figures – which convey the message without any text.
• Visuals: The visuals need to be striking and clearly convey the information.
• Knowledge: The goal of an infographic is to convey information. Without knowledge, then it is just a graphic and not infographic.

Types of Infographics

There are a lot of design and marketing agencies that have broken down infographics into types.  However, it is hard to find a consensus amongst them.

As one designer points out, the breakdown of infographic types depends on how you define the different between data, information, and knowledge.  These terms are highly subjective, which explains why we still don’t have a widely-agreed upon definition of infographic, nevertheless the types.

The Harvard Business Review guide Good Charts lays out four types of infographics: declarative, conceptual, exploratory, and data-driven. In this classification system, the types overlap each other, such as declarative-exploratory.

However, I prefer the simpler breakdown of infographic types by Column Five Media.  They define three main infographic types: Data visualization, information design, and editorial infographics.

As a consumer, understanding the types of infographics can help you better gauge the value of the information presented.

You’ll be able to ask yourself questions like how many data sets are being presented, and is the infographic trying to elicit a response from me?  Considering that infographics have long been used as a propaganda tool, this insight can help you avoid being manipulated with data.

Data Visualization Infographics

Many of the early precursors to infographics, such as line graphs and charts, are types of data visualizations.  The difference is that today’s data visualizations often present huge amounts of information.

Key Features:

• Illustrates numbers/amounts
• Delivers information
• Is objective
• Usually created for a specific niche
• Not narrative – focus on the numbers
• Tend to be more “numbers heavy” than graphic

There is a lot of debate about the difference between an infographic and data visualization.  Some would argue that they are completely different things.  However, the common consensus is that data visualizations are a type of infographic, but not all infographics are data visualizations.

Example of Data Visualization Infographic

 

Information Design Infographics

With these information design infographics, the data is not specific numbers.  Rather, the data is concepts which are visualized. Some examples of these information design are timelines, how-to steps, flowcharts, comparisons, hierarchical, and anatomical illustrations.

Key Features:

• Illustrates concepts rather than numbers
• Include more than one set of data or info in order to tell a larger story
• Typically aimed at a mass market
• May not be objective

Example of Information Design Infographic  

 

Editorial Infographics

It used to be that text-based editorials were found in newspapers and magazines to supplement the objective news reporting.  Now, there is a growing trend towards editorial type infographics.

Key Features:

• Are not objective
• Have a distinct call to action
• Often used by non-profits and activist groups
• Use various data sets to support viewpoint

Example of an Editorial Infographic:

 

Why Infographics Are So Powerful

Long before humans invented alphabet systems, they communicated with visuals.  The human brain is hardwired to process visual information, and it does it much more efficiently than it processes text information.

Source

Shortening Attention Span

Another reason that infographics are so powerful in today’s era of the internet, is that they capture attention.  Our attention spans have drastically shortened because of the constant stimulus we receive.  In this era of goldfish brains, learning needs to be micro.

Infographics are one of the best ways to present huge amounts of data in small bites, thus making them a very powerful learning tool.  They are also great for marketers who want to get their message across as quickly as possible.   Color visuals increase comprehension, learning, and retention by over 73%.  The appeal lasts: Eye tracking research on news pages has shown that 87% of people who saw an infographic also read the accompanying text, whereas only 41% read the text of a typical page with heading and text.

Shareability

The key to having content go viral is to make it shareable.  Your readers see the content and believe that sharing it makes them look good.  They then want to share it with their friends, coworkers, and grandparents.  Visual content is 40X more likely to get shared on social media than other types of content (Buffer, 2014).

 

Infographic History Timeline

Prehistory and Early Civilization

We humans are visual thinkers, so it is no surprise that infographics have been around since even before civilization.  The earliest examples of infographics are arguably cave paintings which many experts believe were used to communicate information about animals and hunting methods.  There are also prehistoric examples of constellations maps and land maps.  However, the combining of data and art didn’t develop until the 1600s.

 

1600s:

Maps had been around for long before the 17^th century, but this is when the principles of measuring and marking distances as well as special geometry were laid down.  As a result, we see a huge jump in the quality of maps during this century.

Christoph Scheiner is usually credited as the person responsible for making the first modern infographic.  His map of sunspots was printed in 1626.

 

1786

The end of the 18^th century in Europe was a Golden Age for sciences and arts. The date 1786 stands out as when a Scotsman named William Playfair published his work “Commercial and Political Atlas.” The work contains the first examples of a bar chart. Playfair also is credited with inventing the line, area, and pie charts.

 

1800s

The 1800s was the era of charts. Many government offices started using visual charts for statistical analysis.  The popularity of charts led to major innovations in their types and styles.

Suddenly, we had more attractive charts as well as new types like bubble charts, contour plots, and 3d charts.

Infographic charts also started to influence history. 

If it weren’t for John Snow’s 1841 cholera map (which showed cholera outbreaks linked to a common water source), he probably wouldn’t have been able to convince public officials that cholera is spread by water.  Thanks to his visualization, the well pump was removed.

In 1860, a map of slavery influenced the course of the Civil War.  By seeing which areas held slaves, the Union was able to determine which areas would fight harder to keep slavery – and which ones might switch sides.

One of the first infographics to combine multiple data sets was made in 169 by designer Charles Minard. He visualized Emperor Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia, showing the number of forces, distance traveled, temperatures, and rivers crossed.

 

Florence Nightingale was amongst the first to use infographics for activism.  Her 1858 infographic of mortality of British army was used to convince the Queen to provide better medical care for soldiers in the Crimean War.

 

 

1900s

Up until this period, infographics were mainly used to convey data within scientific circles and niche audiences. The booming 1900s found infographics being adopted by mainstream media.

People were moving to cities during this time and public transportation was getting complex.  Infographics were made to help the public navigate.  The first few attempts at mapping the subway systems in NYC were far from ideal.  It wasn’t until 1967 that subway routes were given their own color on maps.

 

1990s to Early 2000s

Computers and software finally became affordable and small enough to make it into homes. Design software suddenly made it possible to visualize data quickly without having to hand-draw visualizations.

The result were infographics which were much more complex, such as network graphs, dendrograms, sunburst charts, and chord diagrams.

2000s

Now is the era we are familiar with.  With the huge demand for visual content, everyone from marketers to government agencies to nonprofits have adopted infographics.

The push towards visual content also means there’s been a surge in bad infographics.  It got so bad that a 2011 article in the Atlantic called the infographic trend a “plague” and “endemic in the blogosphere.”

By the end of the decade, marketers realize that they can’t make an impact simply by putting content in visual form.  Consumers are demanding more to capture their attention.

 

The Infographic Today

Living in the information age means we are getting inundated with huge amounts of data daily. A Telegraph report found we consume the equivalent of 174 newspapers per day – which is five times more information consumed daily in 1986.

That statistic was reported in 2011. Since then, the amount of information overload has only increased.

With so much information overload, people have become very picky about what they consume. Content doesn’t even stand a chance without a visual strategy.  

Thus, there is a huge push to transform content into visual form.  In an article about how infographics jumped the shark, Flowing Data creator Nathan Yau comments on how infographics are replacing the blog post format.

 Infographics have gotten longer to fit into the blog format. Posts that used to be long lists of favorite things and best methods have shifted to something more visual.

We’ve also seen more infographic trends like interactive, 3d, and motion infographics.

Infographics have grown to great lengths, quite literally.  Keep scrolling..

Online users have also gotten immune to the visual pull of infographics.  Without a good story throughout the infographic, people get bored.  

Thus, it is no surprise that infographic design best practices include making a narrative flow.  When done well, the narrative will engage consumers as they scroll down the infographic.  The message is clear and there is a strong visual focus.

The final piece to pull it all together is a Call To Action or conclusion.  Because, without a CTA guiding you in how to react, what was the point of consuming the infographic?  Data only becomes knowledge when it can be put to use!

One of the most significant choices you will ever make is which institution to attend. The college you choose will have far-reaching effects on your future happiness and success. However, the reality is that a lot of students choose a college based on feelings or a narrow set of criteria. Or even simply a hunch. In this article, we have written some of the things to consider when choosing the right college for yourself. 

Image Source

Factors In Choosing A College

When deciding which college to attend. It is important to consider all factors that will affect your educational journey. These could include factors such as location, cost of tuition, availability of financial aid. Others include quality of faculty and staff, educational resources available on campus, extracurricular activities offered by the school, and more. Additionally, you may want to consider essay order online services if you need help with essay writing for college applications. With so many choices available to you today. It can be difficult to decide without doing a thorough research. It is important to take into account all aspects that are important for your future success in higher education. Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a college:

 

Accreditation

Check the school’s accreditation status before delving further into your research. This indicates that the school’s curriculum has been assessed by a credentialing body. This is to ensure that it satisfies the minimum requirements for a higher education program.

The admissions and about sections of a school’s website will often provide this data. Call or write to the admissions office if you need help locating it.

Accreditation for a school might be either national or regional. Individual schools, departments, and programs within a university may also get their separate accreditation. This assures that potential employers and other educational institutions will recognize your degree.

 

Academic Majors Available

Make sure the schools you’re looking at provide a major that fits in with your planned course of study. This is for those of you that already have a good idea of your academic future. Students who are sure they want to major in art history. For instance, should not give any credence to universities that do not provide that option.

On the other hand, students who have yet to settle on a certain field of study could benefit from attending a university that gives them options.

 

Affordability

College tuition is a key consideration for many high school students. When deciding on a college, you should make sure that tuition, room and board, and other costs are manageable within your financial means.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the annual tuition and fees at a private institution are close to $45,000. While those at a public university are above $20,000. Students should also factor in the local cost of living. Which includes things like transportation, extracurricular activities, and entertainment. In addition to tuition, fees, and housing & board.

 

Prestige Of The Institution

Reputation matters in the college selection process for certain students. Graduates with degrees from famous universities sometimes have an easier time finding employment or getting accepted to graduate schools. The prestige of a university’s faculty is indicative of the quality of the education you may expect to get there.

Considerations such as a school’s alumni network and standing in extracurricular activities. Academics, and athletics may help students determine how prestigious a certain institution is. Prospective students should investigate the school’s research programs. Also, grant money, and faculty publications to assess the faculty’s reputation, which is important in many professions.

 

Campus Environment

It’s vital to think about the campus atmosphere while picking a college. Since this is where most of your personal and professional development will take place. Consider institutions with active Greek life or a thriving art scene if they are areas of interest.

Consider colleges with well-known athletic programs. If you like attending sporting events and social gatherings with your peers. Similarly, participating in intramural sports at a busy university may help you meet people and have fun.

 

Conclusion

You may want to consider the college’s rating. The variety of student organizations, and the number of recreational opportunities while making your choice. Also, you may want to think about the value of a diversified student population. A vibrant dorm scene, and a competitive sports program should not be underestimated. Students with exceptional credentials may want to look into institutional assistance packages before committing to a school.

 

Finally, hopeful entrants should evaluate their odds of being accepted. Applicants should apply to some institutions within their credentials. You need to be honest about their academic performance.

The range of the crypto market is what makes it more volatile but equally exciting for people as investors, not only do new trading coins continue to rise but new currencies also come to surpass others. 

With the impact of Doggy coins and Liticons on high altitude over the past month, a new module has risen to compete in the market called TMS network that has got huge support even in presale. 

The maturity of its influence has made it the talk of the town as its growth is significant and many experts e considering it to overshine other currencies in trend currently. Want to invest in rising values like TMS? Register now at Quantum Prime Profit for free

Influx in market 

The pattern of trade is volatile in crypto standards which also suggests that the influx of market continues to rise and dip with leaders making a sharper impact on what they want to proceed and demolish here. 

TMS network has shown promising signs and its influx is happening fast as you don’t need to create an account and can link your wallets directly. 

This also brings the state of fear or worry as risk involvement is bigger and access points have to play their more effectively to continue such influx. 

 

Leverage of doggy coins 

This is one of the more effective currencies as it has a direct edge to stardom with the influence of Elon Musk where few tweets can make its volatile standards up and one speech can fall to a low percentage. 

The influence by which Doggy coins work is susceptible as its dependency on one single brand ambassador can put it in a rush and trade investment can be a kind of risk 

People are looking for more surges in doggy coins especially in the coming months, but they are trying to use options like TMS to get a better hand on newly rising volatile currencies in the market. 

 

Direct impact on LTC 

The rush of the market is also a course by which things are balanced in the crypto world and for LTC coin, it has been a kind of moving from better to worse situations this year with halting and effects in values. 

The impact of its liquidity and rates rising to 10-fold has shown that people have to face problems but it has got influence somehow to negate them or face the heat of the moment. 

This is where people are looking to get a choice in the form of a TMS network so they can cover their trade values and also gain better growth through the right investment process. 

 

Financial estimates 

If you have to see how new modules are working in the crypt market, then you have to seek out the financial status, and current estimates, and TMS, does have a much better hand in such terms. 

The way people are trying to adjust values, gain entries into wallets, and also have access to market push has led to double its value up to 1400 times stronger which shows the current growth. 

People are willing to go for the TMS network and want to try it as it may be safe currently, but they would have to see how it is going to negotiate trade funding in longer terms. 

 

Trading goals 

Finally, to check for performance and profit stages, you also have to find out the goals of trading, how developers have worked on them, and identify core solutions. 

TMS network has been introduced with the idea to insure people focus on core values with the combined effort of wallets and gain over the capital with a rush to control supplies. 

This hints at the fact that they will try to balance capital gains and have certain trading goals but if they have to outperform others, then it is prudent to adjust strategy and make sure they are not outdone.

Competing in the crypto world is not easy, TMS N is a new volatile framework in progress, but how far it can compete with Doggy cons or LTC, only its growth models would explain in the further course. 

the pattern in use, people who would accept and complete outsell responses would be the final stake to identify as jus by Presale, we can’t predict long so it comes to how it works in future stages. 

Taking care of your home loan is very important when you own a home. If you want to buy a house for the first time or change your current mortgage, it’s important to be prepared and informed. This article will give tips to help you better manage your home loan. Following these tips will make it easier for you to handle your loan and avoid stress.

 

Do’s:

• Assess Your Financial Readiness:

Before taking out a loan to buy a home, ensure you have enough money. To find out how much cash you have saved, look at your income, debts, ability to make timely payments, and savings. Then, ensure that you can access adequate cash to pay for your home and other important expenditures without any problems.

 

• Shop Around for the Best Rates:

To get a home loan, you must be careful and research. Check different places that give money and find the one that suits you best. Look for loans that have low-interest rates, terms that fit your needs, and features that can help you achieve your financial goals. Looking at different prices, you can save more money when paying back your loan.

• Consider Pre-Approval:
  

Pre-approval for a mortgage is a wise decision that may help you determine how much you can spend and simplify negotiating with sellers. Pre-approval is disclosing financial information to a lender so they can determine if you qualify for a loan and the amount you may borrow.

 

• Maintain a Good Credit Score:
  

Your credit score is important for getting the best home loans Australia easily. Lenders look at it to decide if they should lend you money and how much interest they will charge you. So having a good credit score when you’re getting a home loan is really important.

 

• Understand the Loan Terms and Conditions:
  

You must read and understand all the rules before signing a loan. Ensure you understand how much extra money you might have to pay when you have to and if you can pay it early. If you’re not sure about something or worried, ask your lender or someone you trust who knows about money.

 

• Regularly Review Your Loan:

If you borrowed money to buy your house, it’s a good idea to check if you can get a better deal on your loan from time to time. This is called refinancing. If the interest rates go down or you have more money, you can think about refinancing. This might help you save money, too, in the long run.

 

Don’ts:

• Overlook Loan Fees and Closing Costs:

You must also consider other costs like fees and closing costs when you get a home loan apart from interest rates. In addition, you might have to pay for some things when you get a loan, like fees for starting the loan, checking the property’s value, making sure the property is legally yours, and paying a lawyer. If you don’t include these costs, you might be surprised by how much money you need during the loan process. 

 

• Overextend Your Budget:

Don’t borrow too much money to buy your dream home, or you might have trouble paying it back and could lose the home. Instead, only borrow what you can afford to pay back. Consider how much money you make, how much you spend, and what you want to do with your money in the future when deciding how much to borrow. 

 

• Make Major Financial Changes:

When getting a home loan, it’s important to keep your money situation steady and not make any big money changes. Don’t get new credit cards, borrow more money, or switch jobs. Doing these things can make getting a loan harder or mess up your money situation.

 

• Neglect Saving for a Down Payment:

You can get a loan with a small down payment, but saving more money for a bigger down payment is better. If you give more money initially, you will have to borrow less and pay less every month. It also shows that you are good at saving money. 

 

 

To do well as a homeowner, you need to take good care of your home loan. To make good choices, keep your money safe, and have a better home loan experience, do the right things and avoid doing the wrong things. Speak with knowledgeable people who understand mortgages and finances to receive guidance suitable for your circumstances. Then, if you make a good plan and take care of your home loan, you can buy a home and have all the good things that come with it.

Treadmills are part of many people’s workout routines. They love walking on it every day as part of their cardio routine. One can also perform other workouts on a treadmill to stay fit. And it is great equipment for cardiovascular exercises and strength training. But you will agree that treadmills don’t look great in your home. Placing the treadmill there is perfect if you have a separate room for workouts. It blends right in and looks attractive. But it loses some of its appeal if you don’t have space and put the treadmill in the living room or your workspace. No one wants their guests to come to their house and be welcomed by a bulky machine. Do they? So, even though you love your treadmill with all your heart, you must find a way to hide it when not in use. One way is to use a foldable treadmill, which you can fold and keep away when not in use. But not everyone wants that. For a professional treadmill, try these ideas to hide it when not in use.

 

A room divider

With the help of an attractive folding screen or room divider, you can make your treadmill disappear. Use the treadmill with or without anyone present, as the room divider will separate the space. It hides the equipment while also giving you private space to exercise. Moreover, room dividers are foldable too. So, you can use them any way you like near the corners. They come in multiple materials and sizes. So, when buying a treadmill online, know the measurement to buy the perfect divider. Also, you can build the room dividers into the room using sliding doors. Popular in Japan, it creates a completely new room for your treadmill.

 

Use a throw

It’s not a perfect choice, but it does work well. It is the best choice, especially when you have guests coming over and no way to hide the treadmill. For instance, you use throws for furniture anyway, right? So, there shouldn’t be any issue using it over a treadmill. If the equipment is in the living room, surrounded by multiple shelves and furniture, no one will notice it or think it is out of place. They might appreciate the design, so get a beautiful throw for the treadmill. Don’t be quick to select the throw. Give it some time and find a design, fabric, and print that match the room. A cheap way to hide the treadmill.

 

Use curtains or drapes.

An alternative to a room divider is curtains or drapes. Just cover the room you put the treadmill in with drapes or a curtain. The room will get an aesthetic look while hiding away the equipment. When it comes to using drapes or curtains, your options are numerous. Get one that complements the design of the room. Or one that matches the color of the furniture. Anything goes as long as the symmetry is there. In

 

Get an elegant treadmill.

This point is not about hiding the treadmills but letting them be visible. It happens when you buy an elegant treadmill that looks like part of the room. A treadmill that uses expensive materials has sleek lines or looks like a piece of art doesn’t need to be hidden. If you can afford such expensive equipment, go for it. There are curved treadmills that use walnut, cherry, or oak, making them ideal for placing in a room.

 

Covers

If you are putting your treadmill in a room away from prying eyes, but it gets dusty, or you still want to keep it hidden, use a cover. A customized cover for a treadmill usually comes in black, or you can find a transparent one too. It keeps the treadmill safe from dust, and no one will be able to figure out what is inside the cover. For instance, you can put it in your room or closet with the cover on.

 

Use these ideas to hide the treadmill away without compromising your workout. Treadmills are amazing workout equipment with multiple benefits for all age groups. So, use it to better your health and put it away using the above ideas when not in use. 

Living alone can be a wonderful and empowering experience; however, it also comes with its unique set of daily challenges. To make your life easier and more enjoyable as a solo dweller, you need to keep a lot of things in mind. We are not here to scare you, but trust me, living on your own with freedom is a great feeling, and everybody should try it once in their lifetime, but it has some challenges to face.  

So, in this article, we will explore and talk about 4 things you should do if you live alone, as these tips will enhance your solo living experience and make your life easier and smoother.

 

1. Embrace Organization and Simplification

Living alone allows you to organize and decorate your house your way. You can add anything you love, prefer, and want to keep close to you. You can organize your stuff by decluttering. Just look around and find things that are useful and things you need no longer. Donate or sell the no-longer-needed items. Apart from this, you can establish a routine. I know it sounds boring, but living alone without a routine could be hectic. Sit, plan everything, and get to work. In a few days, you will observe that everything is going smoothly and your life has become easier. Taking care of timing and organizing things will not only buy you a lot of time but also make up a lot of storage space. Just try this boring-sound routine and see the magic.

 

2. Use Technology

Living alone gives an individual much less time to enjoy as all his time either goes into bringing groceries into the house, cleaning it, or cooking. So, learning the tricks of productivity and time management for some freedom is very important. Suppose you are hosting a party this evening, and nothing is left to eat or cook. You cannot just go to the shop; you live in the modern century and need to be quick and modern. We are privileged as we can buy almost anything online. Everything is online, from groceries, basic needs, makeup, beverages, cooked & ready-to-be-cooked food, and cooking instructions. And if this situation is a part of your life, check out quitelike meal delivery as they provide the loop order service, which could save you a lot of time.

 

3. Prioritize Safety and Security

If you are living alone, you are responsible for your security; if you live in a city with zero relatives or known ones, you can trust no one. But nothing to worry about as we have the solution to this problem. You can install or rent a house with reliable security systems such as motion sensors, surveillance cameras, and burglar alarms. Apart from this, you can save the emergency contacts of your location. This emergency contact system will help you share your location and message with your close and trusted ones. After all this, never avoid your safety, and don’t share everything and anything with a stranger, both online and offline. Keep your things personal and be aware. This tip will save you from any mishappening, and you will enjoy a secure and fun life.

 

4. Money Control

Running out of money could be very risky for someone who lives alone. Money is our first best friend while solo living and should be managed properly. It is human nature to spend money on expensive and luxurious things, but at the end of the month, it could make you beg. Living alone requires financial independence and responsible money management, and you can start by creating a budget for different types of necessities. After receiving your income, build an emergency fund. This fund will help you in your hard times, and you will always have a safe space. Next, set up automatic payments of bills, as no bill will stay pending, and your credit score will grow. The last thing that you need to practice is self-control. Avoid buying useless things and save for something big like a laptop or bike. Everything is smooth when you observe and plan. Don’t miss the opportunity to live a life of freedom and learn things you have never experienced. Implementing these 4 essential strategies can create an easier and more fulfilling solo living experience.