With time, static images were compiled in multiple frames and then played as an infinite loop. That is how GIFs were brought to the social media realm. Slowly GIFs evolved into a visual element that is both expressive and interactive. The world of today solely depends on messages and content that keeps them engaged. One such format of static visual media and design is an infographic. While you might have seen several infographics at the end or beginning of ‘How-To’ guides and informational pieces of content but you might not have seen an animated one since it is not all that common but slowly, its popularity is emerging.
An animated infographic is an animation wonder itself and countless great brands, individuals and organizations have fully leveraged the power an animated infographic possesses. Wondering if you can leverage its power too? Well, you certainly can but only if you know about it in-depth.
Can you animate infographics?
Used to express a specific message or process in a visual form, Infographics have always existed in the format of a static picture and have seldom been animated. However, now the popularity of static visuals and textual content is slowly declining and animation is taking over these two forms of digital media.
Now in order to simplify a complex message or information the only probable way is to not bloat it with text and separate each bit of information in a chart, graph or even an illustration. So, what exactly compelled designers to animated infographics? Aren’t these charts and graphs already simplistic and quick to create? Well, these static infographics might not consume a lot of time to create but surely do lack one important elements, visual engagement.
The need to animate infographics
Eye-catching visuals are all you need to capture the attention of your viewers but despite having appealing elements in a static infographic, it still will not capture as much attention as an animated element would. Focus on drafting a streamlined story for your infographic and then once the draft is done, shift your focus on how each attribute should be animated.
Each process is connected and it all begins with the correct selection of icons and designing of characters. Emphasize more on the core message which could be a catchy slogan placed right under an animated icon or character.
It makes information clear and concise
Bold typography and animation go well together. If you have a public service message to convey then visuals alone are not enough for clarification. You would have to merge an animated banner with relevant icons and characters with the main message written in a bold typographic font. The message could be about environmental issues or domestic violence so make sure you tone up and down the colors according to the message you have in mind.
It has the power to emphasize
It has been mentioned earlier that if you do not have an element to emphasize then your infographic loses its meaning and purpose. An image alone cannot bring the emphasis you are looking for instead an animation can. Supposedly, you are creating a human rights campaign and you require an infographic for it. What would you do? Will you animate each flag or will you choose to animate the icons of what each speaker would be representing? You will certainly choose what will bring more emphasis and attention towards the campaign.
Animated GIFs are an option too
When it comes to infographics, you might never run out of creative options. Animating an infographic can be taxing but what if you just turn it into a looping GIF? Several tools and online platforms exist where making GIFs has been made easier. Just create an illustration that would look appealing while shown in animated loops. Once you are done with the creation of such figures, icons or characters the next is to use simple online GIF makers instead of costly programs like Photoshop.
Why does visualization matter so much?
This evolution in infographics is not amusing as it was bound to happen. Animated content has slowly begun to take over the domain of static visuals and text-based content. This change has its own advantages and cons but in this constantly digitalizing world, it was required for this evolution to happen. Individuals now crave for interaction and engagement across different realms of the internet.
If you have a message to convey and you do not know how to make it interesting then your competitors might always stay ahead of you. Keep up these ever-changing trends and do not let yourself down by not putting enough trust in the ideas you come up with. Look around, research and formulate your thoughts into compelling visual. Trial and error are what you should live by.