FlowingData pointed me to an interesting thread over on Quora where they are attempting to define the difference between a Data Visualization and an Infographic. It’s an interesting discussion, with several different theories floating:
- Infographics are Static, while Data Visualization is Dynamic?
- Infographics are Editorial, while Data Visualization is Scientific?
- Infographics are a subset of Data Visualizations?
- Multiple Data Visualizations create an Infographic?
It’s a tricky question for sure, made more difficult by the many types of Infographics out there. Some people look at the charts on ManyEyes and call those Infographics, while some people look at “How a Cell Phone Works” and call that an Infographic. My best guess is to define what they “should be”, not what they are:
- Data Visualizations present scientfic data (either simulated or measured) through known visualization algorithms and processes (Isosurface, Line graphs, etc)
- Infographics present unstructured information in a visually pleasing form (Flow Charts, comparison tables)
What do you think? What’s the difference?
What’s the difference between a data visualization and an infographic? – Quora.
As the debate shows, there is no clear distinction. Yet we all seem to have some sort of – somewhat personal – feeling for what is an infographic and what is a data visualization.
Here’s mine:
A data visualization is a graphical representation of quantifiable data, usually by means of well-known chart, graph or map types. Although they can be created by hand, they can always be generated by applying automated methods on top of the data.
An infographic is a graphical representation that combines one or more data visualizations with other non-data elements – such as graphics or text – to point out relationships, show a process or tell a story that cannot be automatically discerned from the data alone. An infographic requires the application of a creative process with some understanding of the underlying data and its context.