Online Responsive Infographic
An infographic created for online use only, and features ‘responsive’ functionality that adapts to the device size it’s on.
Overview
Responsive web design has become very popular because of the variety of devices and viewing screens today. Older html web projects were structured as one size (600-1200 pixels wide) so will appear trimmed off on many screens. Phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and smart TVs all show up differently. Responsive web content flexes and adjusts (responds) to those screens. It relies mostly on modern web programming (html5, css3, JQuery, and Javascript to name a few) to render these effects and also makes use of web fonts/text which means the font is stored somewhere and references that font to show up correctly. As opposed to relying solely on the few standard html and device fonts. Responsive design also “calls” on certain images in a stored folder to also expand or contract as needed depending on the device/screen. An “Online Responsive Infographic” is basically an online mini-website. It’s a series of data organized in line, or by pages. A home page, turn pages, content, graphics, hyper links, and a contact or call to action page.
There are many examples of responsive design, here is one: http://www.weblivenow.com.
What’s good
It expands and adapts to different screens and has a decent modern feel on most all devices. Since it’s highly textual, can be relatively easy to edit the content. You can make good use of online functionality such as integrating social media icons, other hyperlinks and URLs, and more.
What’s bad
Limited to web only, does not appear 100% accurately on all devices by nature of web. Cannot be printed, emailed, or re-used in other formats. It lacks the solid, consistent, design structure of a flat (non-web) graphic such as in print or a pdf. It’s also limited to “being online”— you need connection to see it.
Important to know
• Limited to online only
• Needs to be very simplistic, not a lot of text or graphics
• Cannot be complex
• Minimal in design— they are difficult to create
• Limited functionality and interactivity
• Based mostly on web/online fonts/text
• Does not have the same design flexibility as a print/pdf infographic
• Can be expensive and time consuming to edit or make changes to
• Needs a stable, active, and reliable web host (online folder) to be viewable
• Will not work on all devices
• You need internet connection to view it
How to get started
Pretend you are creating a simple, mini website or microsite. It’s essentially the same thing. So you need to think in terms of a web site. Navigation, links, and what content goes where and on what page. It’s very different than a typical infographic so you need to create it as such. As with any project, you want to also be sure this is the right format for this project. There are several possibilities for information-based projects (infographics) so make sure it fits your goals and needs.
• First, create a content rough draft. All the content you want in the project. Text, data, graphics
• Limit the amount of content— a LOT. Simple, short, brief.
• Approx. 6 Powerpoint pages that include title, 4 pages of simple data points, and a contact/call to action/notes page.
• Use the Online Responsive Infographic starter kit for ideas, templates, and examples.
Production notes
• Cost ranges $1500—$10K+ depending on size, amount of content, and level of design
• Average cost for a small/medium-sized 6 panel project (6 Powerpoint panels) is $3500–$5k
• Production timing is about 2 weeks depending on client interaction
Other options for information-based projects or infographics
• Standard pdf or jpeg infographics. Vertical stacked, horizontal, and more. Can be printed, emailed, and recycled into other projects.
• Interactive pdf infographic. You can add popups, hyperlinks, and more.
• Online interactive graphics. Single page graphic with rollover effects, and more.
• Online themed microsite. Set up like a website dedicated to your subject (i.e. Cloud Software microsite). Instead of a simple infographic, or responsive site, creating a larger full fledged site.
• Slider. Simple page-by page, colorful and simplified arrangement of data in an easy to use— easy to print and distribute pdf document.
• eBook, InfoBrief or Info-Document. A combination of a white paper, presentation, and infographic— in one, graphical, highly engaging pdf document.
• Animation or video. Animating infographic content along with optional sound or voiceovers can bring them to life and render them highly engaging.
Contact Todd at Mitchell Creative Group, LLC. 508.494.8182, or todd@mitchellcreativegroup.com. http://www.mitchellcreativegroup.com
