Infographics Supercharge your Sustainability Communications

In today’s information-rich world, capturing and holding attention is more challenging than ever. Skimming and scanning are the ways busy people engage, you need to show rather than tell. Enter infographics: powerful visual tools that transform complex data and ideas into digestible, engaging content.

At Ideas On Purpose, as we help clients in sustainability and corporate communications, infographics have become essential for creating compelling visual narratives that resonate with diverse stakeholders. Not only can infographics break up or replace large blocks of text, they can enhance your storytelling by visualizing ideas that would otherwise get lost.

Why Infographics Work

We’re all bombarded with information daily, making it difficult for any single message to stand out. Infographics cut through this noise by leveraging our brain’s preference for visual processing. Studies show that humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, making infographics an ideal medium for conveying complex ideas quickly and memorably.

A well-designed infographic can tell a story, highlight trends, and make data relatable in ways that paragraphs of text simply can’t match. This is particularly crucial in sustainability communications, where abstract concepts and large-scale data need to be made tangible and personal.

Types of Infographics

At IOP, we categorize infographics into three types based on their complexity and purpose:

Complex: These are the most intricate. They combine custom illustrations, icons, and images to tell elaborate stories, illustrate full processes, or depict value chains. Complex infographics are ideal for helping readers grasp complicated information and bring visual sophistication to your communications.

Medium Complexity: These tell simpler stories using diagrams, icons, shapes, and directional graphics. Examples include organizational charts and process flow diagrams. They provide visual breakdowns of multistep processes and can serve as valuable reference tools.

Simple: Best for sharing straightforward information in a visually interesting way, these can be a collection of stats with typographic emphasis or graphically treated lists. They may involve icons and are perfect for highlighting key data points or stats.

Hilton uses infographics across communications, including their website and guest communications.
Brilliant Earth features infographics in their report and website.

Effective Use of Infographics in Sustainability Communications

Combining data visualization with narrative context is crucial for effective communication (see How to Tell a Story with Data). Infographics excel at this, particularly in sustainability where complex data needs to be made accessible to various stakeholders. This article features several examples of using infographics for communication of key sustainability topics.

Norwegian Cruise Lines makes extensive use of infographics in its Report.
Delta uses an infographic to help visualize the path to net zero.

Watchouts

When IOP creates infographics, we keep the best practices of communication in mind. We start grounded in your visual brand and avoid over-complication. We’re careful not to distort data through misleading visual representations. And for the web, we consider the needs of mobile users to ensure infographics remain legible and impactful on smaller screens.

Key Takeaways

Infographics are powerful tools for communicating complex ideas and storytelling at a glance. By simplifying data, enhancing engagement, and catering to diverse audiences, they help ensure your message not only reaches its intended audience but also leaves a lasting impact.

With a goal to create understanding and spur action, consider how infographics of varying complexity can elevate your storytelling and make your data come alive.

Ideas On Purpose Can Help

For over 20 years, IOP has been helping companies create impactful infographics and data visualizations for websites, sustainability reports, corporate communications, campaigns, and more. Our team of experts understands how to balance design aesthetics with informational clarity to create infographics that resonate with your audiences.

If you’re looking to enhance your communications with powerful infographics, we’re here to help. Email us to discuss how we can bring your data to life and make your message unforgettable.

Work featured is all created by Ideas On Purpose.