Online Responsive Infographic

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

Got Web?

Web Site or Web Fright?

My goodness. You've got Joomla, Word Press, Google, GoDaddy, Dreamweaver, Webstarts, Wix, Weebly, Intuit, Quackit, and probably more than (from a quick look) many dozens of other "web site" makers. So where to begin?

But "I want a website" you say. Well, there are so many solutions out there now and with the web growing like crazy you are bound to run into a mass of confusion, and dead-end streets that waste your time and money (even if they're "free" - I'll explain that...).

On the other hand, you will also find GREAT resources also.

For example, if you want some great, simple, get up and get started websites Word Press, and GoDaddy both offer some really neat programs that allow you to create a site in a few (sort of) easy steps. I say sort of because no matter where you go, there will be some level of learning, patience, and technical savvy that gets you where you want to go.

In other words, don't ever expect that you'll jump in and get a great site right on the spot. It just can't happen yet. It's always going to be a level of subjective design (how you want it to look) which requires some customization, if even just bolding typefaces!

This isn't to say that it should be intimidating, it shouldn't. Just be aware that you will need to reserve some of that ever evasive "patience" when dealing with this kind of stuff.

Now, I mentioned free. Yes, FREE, the old marketers trick. We all seem to be drawn to that word like candy. ESPECIALLY now adays! I will warn you that it's somewhat true that you get what you pay for - particularly in the web arena.

The reason is this; Web design is a highly skilled, crafted trade. There are infinite "know-hows" that go into any good design period. That goes for painting a house, designing a building or home, creating a great logo design, or - creating a good website.

As a designer, I never throw words and pictures up randomly - rather, strategically place things according to what will look good and balanced, and puts certain parts on the page in a position that makes it useful and highly visible to your audience. There's a skill in that that is really, really important. Trust me, it's one of those things that will make or break your success.

So... as I said earlier, free might work on occasion - absolutely! But you will eventually be limited in some way. Otherwise it wouldn't be free! And everyone, and I mean everyone has to make money to survive. To eat, live, etc... It costs money to host accounts - so it costs something to be able to put something up there. What commonly happens is you will have ads of some kind showing on your site (normally not by your choosing). That's one common money maker. Not a big deal - but worth mentioning.

Now when it comes to custom web design, you too are faced with who to go to? Well over 1 million designers globally. There are Advertising agencies, design firms, freelancers galore!! Oh my!

Your typical best bet is to find a designer to handle your site. Period. They'll create one that does what it should, and guarantee that it works right in the first place. A good designer or design firm will guide you, make recommednations that are geared for YOU to succeeed. They will handle most all aspects of it for you but more WITH you so you understand it but will get you through the ugly stuff.

The best resource is your network. Talk to people, email, signup for user groups, etc... SOMEONE knows a designers somewhere. That's the best place to start. Bad reputations end and are seldom "passed along.

Expect a good designer/firm to be flexible in their approach. In cost, time, and in the design process. They should be able to work with you in most any capacity and will back up their work.

I would be happy to tell you more if you have any other questions. It's what I do 24/7 so I have slews of tips and tricks for you. I can probably help you with your site if you need that too!

I'll be following up with more posts on this topic for sure. LOTS to discuss... Stay tuned!

Contact me: todd@mitchellcreativegroup.com, or visit our web site http://www.mitchellcreativegroup.com