Infographics are enticing visual representations of information. Most viewers do not have the time to read through the amount of information typically presented on blogs and websites. Infographics are very effective in catching the viewer's attention and explaining the idea quickly. For this reason, infographics have experienced an unprecedented popularity over the years.
This visual presentation of data requires proper storytelling, data gathering, designing, creative problem solving, and understanding how the eye follows the flow of information. With that said, the design process to create infographics is unlike other traditional design procedure and it requires a unique kind of talent. So, who are capable of creating effective, appealing, and unique infographics design?
How To Choose An Infographic Agency
Turning data into something that viewers can understand through visual presentation is a very challenging task that needs the expertise of people who are experienced in this area. If you have finally decided that infographics can benefit your company, you need to look for a reputable infographic agency that can cater to your needs.
Infographic design agencies may present you with impressive portfolios, but the true skill of their designers lie in the execution. Listed below are the factors you need to consider when choosing the right infographic agency.
Look into the Expertise of Team Members
You have to understand that the agency representative may not be the one who creates infographics. The creation process of your infographics may be done by a team of expert designers. With that said, before you sign any contract, you must first be informed as to who will actually handle your infographics and determine their level of skills.
It is vital for the infographic designer to be able to present your data visually in an appealing, functional, and factual manner. Remember that infographics is not only about visual appeal; it must also communicate the right message. More importantly, the information presented must be gathered from facts and not spun or generated.
Evaluate the Quality of the Infographics
It is also essential to check and evaluate the portfolio of the company. The portfolio must display high quality and unique infographic designs. You have to understand that some agencies reuse the same design elements numerous times to cut down on time and resources. These
repetitions can make the infographic design generic and boring. With that said, you must notice whether there are any repetitions in the designs you examine.
Understand The Design Process
Aside from checking the expertise of the design team, you must also examine their delivery method. Here are some questions you can ask them:
-How will they gather data and facts?
-Will they be conducting the research on your behalf?
-Will they help you come up with an idea?
-Do you need to supply the images and data?
In addition, you must ask how the infographic agency will deliver the finished product. Typically, the agency must provide you with the layered source file as well as the finished image. The layered file is something you can alter and change when needed. You must also ask the agency how many edits you are entitled to. This is essential since the finished design may not be what you hoped for; thus, you must be entitled to a certain number of edits to get the finished product you want. Lastly, you must discuss the delivery time frame. It is vital to discuss this element of the design process so that you and the agency will be satisfied with the outcome of the project.
Get a Price Quote
Some say that the price must not play a huge factor in choosing an infographic agency and that you should instead look into the quality of work. Although price is relative, paying a huge sum of money for an infographic that is not well done or not very effective will lead to losses.
As a tip, you need to get a price quote from two or three infographic agencies and determine whether the quotes they provided you with are competitive. You must also evaluate whether the price is adequate for the type of work they can deliver. You don't want to sacrifice quality work for a cheaper expense.
Creating quality infographics is very challenging and it requires time, experience, and talent. The key to getting an effective infographic is to look for qualified designers who can turn ordinary data into an aesthetically appealing and effective visual data.
A Guest Post by Kris Bennette - The author, Kris Bennette, is a writer for DesignerInfographics, a leading infographic agency
site.