Through both presentations, we get an interesting look at data-driven journalism. In the many examples shown, we see how abstract numbers are made into something for understandable for viewers, a kind of “visual shorthand”, to use Joanne’s words. I completely agree that infographics are especially useful when one needs to compare numbers; how much bigger/better/more significant one aspect may be in relation to another. Beyond their functionality, what makes an infographic an appealing way to present numbers is its highly attractive design. The use of shapes, simple text and colours allow designers to present the information in a way which is titillating to their viewers. This, too, was covered in presentation, as data handled “sensually”. While I understand and agree with the gist of this argument, “sensually” suggests the engagement of more than one sense (usually only visual with infographics), and has negative sexual connotations, and personally I believe that is a misnomer to describe infographics.
Back to the idea that infographics are often packaged and presented in an appealing way for viewers, it seems to go without question that infographic data today should (and maybe must) be accompanied by eye-catching graphics. This combination of graphics and facts are shown most poignantly through typography animatons, where the heavy use of text, words, and simple shapes makes it a good platform to present infographics in an attractive, animated form, and in this example, to pose a powerful question:
The presenters also brought up the question if information is presented in this highly aestheticised way just to be sensational, and that this veers the conventional function of data to call people to take action. I, for one, believe that it is for the better that information is presented in “sensational” ways like this, and would like to suggest that it is through this means of presenting graphs and data that may indeed stir people to take action. Moreover, infographics, beyond their original purpose to present figures, have become a kind of artform that people can appreciate. One of my favourite infographics are a few based on information about The Beatles’ songs:
(Credit: http://www.mikemake.com/Charting-the-Beatles)
Infographics, perhaps, shows the changing role of data. No longer do figures have to be dry, boring and abstract, but they can be appreciated as an artform, as designers flex their creative muscles to shows us what they can make out of numbers.
jennimj 