

This is extremely important if you are using icons as anchors or headers for the text near them. Not only do the background shapes on the example on the right add color to the infographic, they also provide order and organization. Take a look at these examples to see how useful background shapes are: Unlike the previous section, background images help with both clarity and design. It may seem like a small design choice that was up to the designer but it is very important. It can be any shape really, but you cannot go wrong with a simple circle and square background.

If you are looking for an easy way to make a batch of icons look spectacular I recommend using a background shape. If you stick to that simple mantra you will be fine. Just remember that icons should give context and the labels clarify that context! And they both should be used to help the reader understand the information. They try to use icons too liberally and forget to include labels or text.

I think this is where a lot of people can miss the point when designing an infographic. The context is established in literal seconds and the reader knows exactly what each section is about. And you are stuck wondering what each section could be about.īut in the infographic on the right, the labels and icons work together to help with context. In this case, it looks just as bad as the previous example without any labels or text. Here is another example of the need for labels alongside icons. The icons should be used to give some context but the labels will always hammer the point home. All because the icons and text work together to paint a complete picture. Would you be able figure out what it was talking about in a few seconds? Probably not, but I don’t blame you, because it is poorly designed.īut the infographic on the right is perfectly clear in a few seconds. Imagine if you saw the infographic on the left below. Using labels for icons is a necessity when designing an infographic. And that thinking can be applied directly to an infographic as well. This is a tip that I am going to repurpose directly from the web design community.ĭuring my research, I found that designers state repeatedly that the best way to make sure an icon is useful is to use a label or text with it. Here are a few examples of great icon usage before we get into the tips:

WATCH INFOGRAPHIC ICONS HOW TO
With this guide, I will show you exactly how to use icons like a pro! Which I am not, so it is doubly hard.īut fear not. Sometimes it is tough to pick the right icon, even if you are a designer by profession. Instead of reading your great information, readers are focused on out-of-place icons. You don’t want to use bad icons and have someone look at your infographic and notice your poor design choices… it puts the whole integrity of the infographic in jeopardy. This may sound like a little thing that really doesn’t matter for infographics… but it does! Icons are an important element of a good infographic. And a few of those things start to drive you crazy after a while.Īnd one of those design thorns in my side is… bad icon usage. Even if you are a marketer like me, there are some things you start to pick up on. There are some things that you will start to notice if you are around design work all day.
