This document provides suggestions for improving infographics based on examples shown. For each infographic example, it identifies aspects that are "GOOD" and could be "BETTER". The "GOOD" section highlights effective visual communication elements like symbols, images, color schemes, and layouts. The "BETTER" section provides ideas for enhancing visual explanations through additional images, reducing words, associating terms with colors/shapes, and using space more efficiently. The goal is to evaluate how well each graphic visually conveys its message and identify opportunities to strengthen visual storytelling.

1. Good to better
A “critique” with ideas and tips
to improve your infographics

2. An explanation
The suggestions made in this show are focused solely on visual
communication of data and/or concepts using infographics.
Comments and suggestions do not address the “completeness”
of the graphic in meeting the original assignment. We are
looking each infographic and asking how well it communicates
what it IS there, not what was left out.

3. Good to better
As each infographic appears, ask yourself:
• What’s GOOD in this one?
What works?
What do I like about it?
How does it SHOW me what I want to know?
• What could be BETTER?
Which part is hard to understand?
What goes unnoticed?
Where else could it SHOW, not “tell”?
Then click to see more GOOD to BETTER ideas.

4. Some ideas
to keep in
mind as you
SHOW it!
look… Details and declutter
Relationships
Visual analogies
Essential ingredients

5. GOOD:
•Symbols (equal
signs, arrows to
show what leads to
what)
• Desolate winter
image SHOWS me
what would happen
•Cow looks hungry!
BETTER:
• Could have larger leaf image – possibly as background?
• more images?
•layer text over images to make room
•Cut down on words?
• I wish I knew what a stoma looked like.

6. GOOD:
• Primary colors
unify the look,
match DNA
pieces
• arrows
identify part
and steps
• Twin image!
• Not cluttered
BETTER:
•Distribute things throughout to SHOW more (more images to use the
space well?)
•Visual analogies for terms?
•Fewer words?

7. GOOD:
• Images to SHOW ideas
• Not cluttered
• Logical flow (arrows)
• Background colors pull text and
image together, declutters
• Circular flow
BETTER:
•Use LIGHT color for LIGHT
reaction
•Number 1? What is it for?
•Fewer words
•Use colored arrows to associate
terms and processes with the
background blocks or images
•put title inside “circle?”
•maybe use sun graphic as a
watermark behind the “circle”

8. GOOD:
• Well-matched color scheme,
including fonts (primaries plus
light blue)
• Scientist names integrated with
what they discovered
• Close-up diagram to SHOW
telomeres
BETTER:
• Match colors of font or textbox of
in terms to item explained
• Try to use right side space better
(seems unbalanced, empty)
• Fill text box with scientist info,
maybe include pix
• More images to SHOW visual
analogies?
• Fewer words

9. GOOD:
• Unified color scheme!
• Images to help SHOW
concepts
• Voice bubble explanations
clearly label things
• Uses all space well, without
clutter
• visually “organized” so easy to
follow
BETTER:
• Color match explanation
bubbles to item explained
• place images closer to
associate visual analogies with
the terms
• Add image to go alongside
scientists (beaker, lab,
microscope…?)

10. GOOD:
• Perfect color scheme–
fits topic!
• Title with equation
inside orange shape
gives context, clarity
• Short defs (few words)
• Uncluttered- great
overall layout to work
with
BETTER:
• An image for
heterotroph/autotroph Termss
are with leaf images.
• Visual analogies (images) for
terms?
• Is there a flow if information?
Looks neat, but is it complete?

11. GOOD:
• Again, great
color scheme
• Good use of
images, arrows
to SHOW
concepts
BETTER:
•Make Light and Dark areas match up with the words
•Not sure how carbon filtration fits in– can you SHOW me?

12. GOOD:
• Primary colors dramatic curve attracts eye • Stomata image and others SHOW concepts!
• Turning text sideways uses space well, • Layering of text over images
adds to “flow” • Is very LIGHT color scheme on purpose to
• Arrows show flow show LIGHT as part of process?
BETTER:
• Colored
background
(this is washed
out)
• Bolder colors
for arrows,
fonts to be
more legible
• Associate colors
of process with
font colors?

13. GOOD:
• Perfect layout
for
COMPARISON/
CONTRAST
• Side by side
pyramids show
contrasts
• Simple shapes
(pyramids,
cirlces)
BETTER:
•Use side by side images for typical meal---look like •More “school-like” image?
a food tray? •Same part of pyramids for same food group- easier
•One color for prison, another for school? to compare

14. GOOD:
• Images to SHOW concepts
• layering words over stoma
image- use space and associate
words
• some flow of steps? Images
overlap text boxes- adds
dimension
BETTER:
• Use different
background for light
and dark?
• More consistent use
of text box
backgrounds (color
code?)
• Colored arrows to
clarify steps?

15. GOOD:
• Organized layout—three BETTER:
parts •Use color to associate things (ex. a
• text and images over leaf green border on heterotroph
use space, SHOW concepts image and behind def)
• Arrows to follow •Where do the terms on the leaf fit
explanations in with the rest? (need arrows?)
• Green/gray color scheme •Use same arrow type throughout

16. GOOD:
• Chalkboard look and
hand-drawn items fit
together
• arrows tell me what
is next or
connected…though a
bit busy
• Visual analogies for
concepts
BETTER:
•Make scientist names less fuzzy
•Can the flow of arrows be less confusing,
perhaps circular or a definite path?
•Put tile amid the info instead of at top?
•LAYER words over images
•Fewer words- how SHOW single cell = 6 ft DNA?

17. GOOD:
• Colored shapes pull words,
images together
• bold arrows identify part
and steps
• Not cluttered
BETTER:
• Make images even larger, if
possible
• Use colors for specific meaning,
unify with color
• Fewer words?

18. BETTER:
• Distribute all the
way to right
• Layer words with
images or use boxes
behind both to pull
together
GOOD: • Use specific colors
• Bright colors & black for specific
background deliver associations instead
the concept of LIGHT of random brights
• many images as • Avoid bright white
visual analogies boxes on black (use
• Most space used, transparent image
evenly distributed tool)

19. GOOD:
• Unifying equation-
interesting diagonal
• many visual analogies
• Layering of text and
images
• Dramatic dark gradient
background
BETTER:
• Try making equations a watermark?
• Fewer words
• Work with contrasts and image effects to make text more legible

20. GOOD:
• Unifying equation-
interesting diagonal
• many visual analogies
• Layering of text and
images
• Dramatic dark gradient
background
• NO wordy clutter
(compared to the last
slide)
BETTER:
• Try making equations a watermark?
• Fewer words for Calvin cycle…or layer them?
• Improve contrasts on wave length image

21. GOOD:
• Powerful, unifying
image and color
scheme
• Strong diagonal
adds interest
• arrows identify
parts and steps
• Text ON arrows
• uses full space
BETTER:
• Show images as analogies for
telomere, other terms?
• Use colors to show associations?
• Fewer words?

22. GOOD:
• Strong DNA
image fills,
unifies space
• One visual
analogy
• Reds and blues
make unified
look BETTER:
• Text ON arrows •Use colors to associate things
• Interesting Did •Visual analogies for terms?
you know? •Fewer words? How could you SHOW the chimp
/human info?

23. GOOD:
• Arrows with
text explain
well
• Bright color
scheme
• “sidebars” for
scientists,
strand
BETTER:
• use each color to MEAN something or associate?
• Make scientist pix uniform, lined up inside box?
• Fewer words
• Use a color for sidebar background—not stark white
• All strand labels inside sidebar
• Use an image for one in a million fact

24. GOOD:
• Scientist “chain” fits
color scheme in unified,
interesting sidebar
• arrows and repeated
colors lead eye through
explanation
• Not cluttered
• Text layered on shapes,
images
• Purple, blue, gray
throughout
BETTER:
• use DNA image to unify more? (larger, better position?)
•Visual analogies for terms-- placed inside shapes
•Slide strand and chromosome image to right to match
left border size
•Possibly put title/DNA image together in middle?
•Use an image for the 99% fact?

25. How did they SHOW it?
Details and declutter
Relationships
Visual analogies
Essential ingredients

26. Thanks to:
• Jared B. • Jesse
• Elissa • Mackenzie R
• ErikaW • Alyssa R
• Austin M • Allie
• Nicole • Austin M
• Paul B • Ms. Maine