Week 11 - Information Graphics

Information graphics are visual representations of information, data or knowledge. Graphs include bar charts, line graphs and pie graphs which are generated from raw data and are made straightforward and stimulation with easy to read information prior to background knowledge of it. Lester (1995, 194) describes graphs as info-graphics that 'combine the individual satisfaction of words with the emotional power of visual'.

Above are examples of good info-graphics which are both stimulating and require less time to understand. A good communication professional must have the ability to construct raw information into something that is visually simple yet presents all the important information for easy understanding. Edward Tufte (1983, p. 51) states "graphical excellence is that which gives to the viewer the greatest number of ideas in the shortest time, with the least amount of ink in the smallest amount of space".

However, sometimes the media uses information graphics to trick audience into seeing what they want them to believe. Statistics are often presented in a form of graphs which, by itself, serves as a powerful weapon of persuasion because graphs are seen indisputable and 'true' by the public.

Alex Fisher has mentioned in his book 'Critical Thinking' that "statistics are evidence expressed in numbers. Such evidences can seem quite impressive because of the numbers make evidence appear to be very scientific, often do, lie. They do not necessarily prove what they appear to prove" (Fisher, 2001).

Here are examples of deceiving information graphics:

25.5% is bigger than 74.5%? In what world?!

How can there be 353%?! 256%?! This is obviously a way to create illusions of 'greater' numbers.

Lester has written his book "Visual Communication: Images with messages" that infographics with high quality should have a significant message to communicate, must present information in a clear, accurate and efficient manner. They also should not offend the intelligence of readers and always tell the truth (Lester, 1995). These are the basic guidelines for an ethical infograph. Truth in the infographics are very important since 'images generally have a greater emotional impact than words, the potential to mislead with visual message is higher' (Lester, 1995, 208).

Therefore, the second graph in the tutorial question was unethical because it presents the wrong numbers in the x-axis thus interfering with the graphics (bar chart) which made it look there are more than what it really is.



References:

Lester, P.M. (1995). Information Graphics. Visual communication: Images with messages (pp. 187-211). California: Wadsworth Publishing.

Pettersson, R. (2002). Information Design. An Introduction. United States of America: John Benjamins Publishing Company.