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10 Types of Infographics and When to Use Them
Infographics are everywhere these days—and for a good reason. They’re one of the best ways to take complicated information and turn it into something people want to read. Infographics make it easier to grab attention and explain things quickly by blending visuals, text, and data.
But here’s the thing—not all infographics work the same way. Depending on what you’re trying to say, you’ll need the right type of infographic to match your message.
Are you breaking down a timeline? Showing off data? Or maybe walking someone through a process? The format you choose can make or break how your audience responds.
In this post, we are uncovering 10 types of infographics and how to use them effectively. Let’s figure out which type fits your needs and how to use it like a pro!
What is an Infographic?
An infographic is a powerful way to share information that’s both engaging and easy to understand. With the help of an infographic design agency, you can turn complex data into visually appealing content that grabs attention and communicates effectively.
Infographics blend text, visuals, and data to tell a story or explain a concept, making them a favorite tool in marketing, education, journalism, and business. You must have seen infographics used in these fields because they make even the most complicated ideas feel approachable and clear.
Think about it this way: Let’s say you want to show global smartphone usage trends over the past decade. Sure, you could use a bar graph or pie chart, but that only tells part of the story.
An infographic takes it further by combining those visuals with a timeline, key highlights, and eye-catching icons. Suddenly, the data isn’t just numbers on a page—it’s a narrative your audience can instantly connect with.
This is the reason why 60% of businesses have used infographics in their content strategy.
Source: Atomi Systems
There are various types of Infographics, each suited to a specific purpose. For example:
- Data Visualizations turn raw numbers into charts or graphs, like showing eCommerce growth over the last five years.
- Process Diagrams break down steps, such as how solar panels generate electricity.
Why Use Infographics?
In a world flooded with information, standing out can feel impossible. We’ve all been there—trying to get through long chunks of text, hoping to find the key points.
It can feel overwhelming and tiring, right? That’s where infographics come in. They take complicated information and turn it into something fun and easy to understand. They don’t just catch your eye—they make it impossible to look away.
According to a report, infographics can increase website traffic by as much as 12%.
Imagine you’re trying to explain a cause you care deeply about, like environmental protection. You could write a 2,000-word article, but will anyone read it? Probably not. But if you turn that same information into a visually stunning infographic, it suddenly becomes something people want to engage with.
It’s not just about making your content look pretty—infographics help simplify things that seem too complex to understand. Think about a subject like artificial intelligence.
If you’re trying to explain how it works to someone who’s never heard of it before, it could be daunting. But, with a simple infographic that breaks down the process into bite-sized, digestible chunks, you can make it understandable for anyone.
According to a report, an estimated 65% of B2B marketers have used infographics in their marketing, while 59% of B2C marketers have used infographics in their marketing.
Source: Govisually.com
10 Types of Infographics You Should Be Creating
Let’s discuss all these different types of infographics in detail-
1. Informational infographic
An informational infographic is one type of infographic that is designed to present facts, data, or instructions in a clear and straightforward way. It’s all about sharing information quickly and effectively without overwhelming the audience. These infographics often use icons, charts, and brief text to break down complex topics into simple, digestible pieces.
Source: Visme
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You should use an informational infographic whenever you need to convey key facts or step-by-step instructions quickly and clearly. If your audience needs to grasp essential details without feeling overwhelmed, an infographic is the perfect tool.
For instance, if you’re explaining a process like setting up a new device or sharing important statistics, an informational infographic breaks down the information into bite-sized pieces.
2. Data Visualization or Statistical infographic
A data visualization or statistical infographic takes complex data and turns it into visual elements like charts, graphs, and diagrams. The goal is to make numbers, trends, and statistics more accessible and easier to understand.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You should use data visualization or statistical infographics whenever you need to bring your numbers to life. When you have complex data or large amounts of statistics that might overwhelm your audience, turning them into visual formats like graphs, charts, or maps makes all the difference.
3. List-based infographic
A list-based infographic is a great way to organize information into a clear, easy-to-follow format. It presents key points or steps in a visually appealing way, often using icons or numbered lists.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You should use a list-based infographic whenever you need to break down information into clear, digestible steps or key points. If you’re sharing a set of tips, instructions, or even a countdown of ideas, a list-based infographic makes it easy for your audience to follow along without feeling overwhelmed.
Source: Slidesgo
4. Timeline Infographic
A timeline infographic is a powerful tool for showcasing events or milestones in a chronological order. It takes a story or process and visualizes it step by step, making it easier for your audience to follow the flow of time.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You should use a timeline infographic to visually present a process’s chronological events, project milestones, or sequential steps. It helps simplify complex timelines by visually organizing key points along a linear path, making it easy for audiences to follow the progression of events or tasks.
5. Map Infographic
A map infographic is a visual representation that combines geographic maps with data to communicate information effectively. It is designed to showcase location-based insights, regional comparisons, or spatial patterns by overlaying statistics, icons, or illustrations on a map.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You should use a map infographic when presenting data that is tied to specific locations, regions, or geographic patterns. It is ideal for visualizing regional comparisons, such as market trends, demographic distributions, or sales performance across areas. Map infographics are also useful for tracking movements, such as migration patterns or supply chain logistics, and for showcasing spatial relationships like proximity or density.
Source: Slidenest
6. Flowchart Infographic
A flowchart infographic is a visual tool used to represent processes, decision-making paths, or workflows in a clear and organized manner. It uses shapes, arrows, and connectors to illustrate step-by-step progressions or choices, guiding the viewer through a sequence of actions or decisions.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You should use a flowchart infographic to explain processes, illustrate decision-making paths, simplify complex workflows, or guide users through step-by-step instructions.
7. Geographic Infographic
A geographic infographic is a visual representation that combines geographic elements, such as maps or location-based data, with relevant information or statistics to provide insights into spatial patterns.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You can use a geographic infographic when you need to:
- Visualize location-based data, such as regional demographics or market performance.
- Highlight spatial patterns or trends across different areas.
- Compare statistics between various geographical locations.
- Show the distribution, density, or concentration of specific data points across regions.
8. Visual Infographic
A visual infographic is a graphic representation that uses images, icons, illustrations, and design elements to convey information or data in a visually engaging way. It focuses on simplifying complex concepts or large volumes of data through visual elements that capture attention and enhance understanding.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You can use visual infographics when you need to simplify complex data, convey key information quickly, highlight comparisons, or explain processes in an engaging and easy-to-understand format.
9. Comparison Infographics
A comparison infographic is a visual tool used to highlight the differences and similarities between two or more items, concepts, or data sets. It typically presents information side-by-side, using charts, graphs, icons, or other visuals to allow for easy comparison.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
You can use a comparison infographic when you need to highlight the differences and similarities between two or more items, concepts, or data sets, making it easier for the audience to make comparisons and informed decisions.
Source: GraphicMama
10. Process Infographics
A process infographic is a visual representation that breaks down a series of steps or stages in a process, workflow, or system. It uses clear, structured visuals such as arrows, icons, and numbered steps to guide the viewer through each phase in a logical and easy-to-understand manner.
When should you use an Informational infographic?
Process infographics can be used when you need to illustrate a step-by-step procedure, workflow, or series of actions, making it easier for the audience to understand and follow complex processes or tasks.
Make Data Shine with Tangence!
Ready to make your data stand out? With Tangence, an infographic design agency, you can turn your numbers into fun, easy-to-understand visuals that grab attention. Tangence can help you design infographics that simplify complicated data, whether you’re creating reports, presentations, or marketing materials.
From colorful charts and maps to simple process flows, the company makes it easy to show trends, compare information, and tell a clear story. With plenty of design options, your visuals will match your brand perfectly. Don’t just share numbers—make them memorable and exciting with Tangence, the infographic design agency that brings your data to life!