Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling [Paperback]

Jason Lankow (Author), Josh Ritchie (Author), Ross Crooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2012

Transform your marketing efforts through the power of visual content

In today's fast-paced environment, you must communicate your message in a concise and engaging way that sets it apart from the noise. Visual content—such as infographics and data visualization—can accomplish this. With DIY functionality, Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling will teach you how to find stories in your data, and how to visually communicate and share them with your audience for maximum impact.

Infographics will show you the vast potential to using the communication medium as a marketing tool by creating informative and shareable infographic content.

• Learn how to explain an object, idea, or process using strong illustration that captures interest and provides instant clarity
• Discover how to unlock interesting stories (in previously buried or boring data) and turn them into visual communications that will help build brands and increase sales

Use the power of visual content to communicate with and engage your audience, capture attention, and expand your market.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The explosion of data created and content shared in the Information Age has fundamentally changed the way we communicate today. Infographics and data visualization can convey your message in a concise and engaging way that sets it apart from the noise. Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling shows you how to use visual communication to attract, inform, and even entertain your audience.

These tools can help us understand complex concepts easily and provide insights that lay hidden in raw data. Infographics provides easy-to-follow and actionable tips and strategies to create compelling and shareable visual content, including:

• The various forms that information design and data visualization take, including static, interactive, and motion graphics, and best practices for the use of each.
• Social media strategies for distributing and promoting your content to make sure people see it—and more important, share it.
• The dos and don'ts of information design, enabling you to guide the process of creating them to be interesting, accurate, and effective.
• Coverage of emerging trends, technologies, and the myriad applications of infographics in the not-so-distant future.
• With Infographics, you'll be able to transform previously buried or boring data into captivating visuals that can build your brand visibility, garner an engaged following, and grow your sales.

About the Author

Lankow, Crooks, and Ritchie are the three cofounders of Column Five, a leading creative agency specializing in infographic design, data visualization, and social PR. They have worked with hundreds of clients representing a range of industries, such as GE, Intuit, Microsoft, Sony, eBay, and the World Bank. Their work has been featured in Fast Company, the Atlantic, TIME, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and GOOD magazine. They speak on the subject of infographics frequently, including recent talks at the Federal Reserve and AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts), and teach a course on Visualization of Information at Columbia University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 4, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118314042
• ISBN-13: 978-1118314043
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.8 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Communication & Media Studies
  • #60 in Books > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Marketing

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully crafted and compelling read September 13, 2012

By MRS

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling" is a wonderfully crafted and compelling read. Early on, the authors explain that their primary purpose is to provide an in-depth understanding of the value surrounding the use of infographics, and inform as to the proper approach and implementation of the medium; and they do exactly just that. With chapters covering such topics as determining what makes a good infographic, choosing the right vehicle for your message, and information design best practices, this book is chalk full of countless examples and descriptions of some of the many applications for infographics as a means of improving overall business communications in a manner that is both concise, and engaging, for your intended audience. A must read for anyone serious about exploring this powerful medium of data delivery further.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For the business reader September 7, 2012

By BMG

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This one isn't written for the design practitioner (but plenty of other books do that). It is more geared towards a VP of Marketing/CMO crowd looking for ideas and new ways to share information.

32 of 43 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars All graphics, no info September 7, 2012

By Easy Writer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This books takes infographics in the wrong direction: heavy on graphics, light on info. The authors are impressive designers, but their infographic creations are text-heavy, overly-decorative affairs that do very little to make the info "tell a story".

Early in the book, the authors grant themselves a license to over-decorate by referencing some research from the University of Saskatchewan, proving that overly-decorative graphs are more compelling than ugly black and white graphs (duh!). But they abuse that privilege, pounding "info" into the dust while investing in chaotic, funky designs.

So, scratch the "info". But this might be a worthwhile book if the authors would at least share some of their "graphics" tricks. They are indeed gifted designers with a funky sense for the web 2.0 world. Alas, they share little about design, layout, color choices.

As for "storytelling", this is just a buzzword they slapped onto the title. Their text-heavy overly-designed infographics have a topic and pictures. But how is that a "story"? The authors never plumb this area.

In the end, this book delivers nothing that the title promises. I returned my copy.