This document discusses infographics and their importance in government communication. Infographics use visual representations to present complex information simply and clearly. They allow government to convey intricate data to the public in an engaging format against a noisy information backdrop. Examples show how infographics can transform dense financial reports into easy-to-understand charts and graphs. The document advocates for government to release more open data and support developers in creating interactive data visualizations and applications to better inform citizens.

1. Infographics
Making difficult things simple
Tiffany St James
Thursday 04 Sept, 2010

2. What do we mean by infographics?
• Information graphics or infographics are graphic
visual representations of information, data or
knowledge.
• These graphics present complex information quickly
and clearly, such as is in signs, maps, journalism,
technical writing, or education.
[Source: Wikipedia]

4. What makes good information design?
[Source: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net]

5. Why is it important in government?
• Conveying complex information simply
• Against a noisy backdrop
• Data has integrity
• Well presented data can ground ideas and concepts

6. From this…

7. …To this

8. Source: http://history.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

10. Treasury
http://history.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

11. Defra’s UK Climate Change Projections
Source:
http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/content/
view/641/500/

12. Saving lives by good comms?
Source: www.cognac.co.uk

13. Wikileaks
Source:
www.guardian.co.uk/world/datablog/interacti
ve/2010/jul/26/ied-afghanistan-war-logs

14. Wikileaks
Source:
www.guardian.co.uk/world/datablog/interacti
ve/2010/jul/26/ied-afghanistan-war-logs

15. Costs for av. British Taxpayer per day

16. You be the chancellor

18. Carbon Footprint Calculator

19. [Source: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net]

25. What needs to happen next? (data)
• Getting data out of the geek ghettos to
enable people to
• interrogate it
• play with it
• interact with it
• NB: People won’t always create what you
want for free, take the ASBOrometer...

26. ASBOrometer

27. Consider:
• Data does not have to be boring
• How you can bring alive information for
your audiences?
• How you can get feedback and ideas with
interactive tools?
• How can you collaborate or facilitate ideas
that people find interesting in the online
space?

28. So what can I do?
• Departments: Free your data, support the movement
• Communicators: Present your data in interesting ways
• Businesses: Free your data
• Developers: Create visualisations, apps and tools
• Customers: Buy and demand apps
• All: Lobby to free data

29. Presentation at:
www.slideshare.net/tiffanystjames
Tiffany St James
tiffany@stimulationltd.co.uk
@tiffanystjames