Infographics are powerful tools enabling the concise and visually appealing presentation of complex information. They are widely used in business contexts and can also be successfully used in online courses. These visual aids go beyond traditional text-based content, offering learners an engaging way to comprehend and retain essential concepts. In this article, I share eight types of infographics that can be integrated into online training programmes to elevate the learning experience.

Statistical Infographics

Statistical infographics bring data to life using charts, graphs, and diagrams. They effortlessly unveil trends, patterns, and relationships within the data.

Examples:

Imagine an online training programme focused on sales performance. A statistical infographic could illustrate monthly sales data through bar charts and line graphs, highlighting sales growth over time, top-performing products, and regions with the highest sales.

Informational Infographics

Informational infographics are designed to distil complex information into a visually engaging and concise format.

Examples:

In cybersecurity training, an infographic could visually explain cyber threats, their potential consequences, and recommended preventive measures. This approach provides learners with visual cues and a swift overview of critical concepts.

Timeline Infographics

Timeline infographics display chronological events or steps in a linear order, helping viewers understand the sequence and duration of different stages. They facilitate the understanding of the order and duration of different process stages.

Examples:

A timeline infographic could vividly portray key historical events alongside their corresponding dates in a history course, creating a clear snapshot of pivotal milestones.

In the onboarding programme, a timeline infographic can be used to clearly represent and signpost the different stages of the training.

Process Infographics

Process infographics break down complex procedures or workflows into sequential steps, making it easier for viewers to follow and comprehend a process.

Examples:

Project management training could employ this type of infographic to illustrate the stages of project development, offering a visual guide to tasks, dependencies, and milestones.

Geographic Infographics

Geographic infographics utilise maps, charts, and icons to visualise geographical data, allowing learners to perceive patterns across different locations.

Examples:

A course addressing global climate change could employ this format to showcase temperature variations worldwide, using colour-coded maps to illustrate the impact of climate change on various regions.

Comparison Infographics

Comparison infographics contrast data sets, objects, or concepts to highlight parallels and distinctions.

Examples:

In a language learning programme, a comparison infographic could compare two languages, spotlighting shared phrases, grammar structures, and pronunciation rules for learners to quickly grasp.

Hierarchical Infographics

Hierarchical infographics show relationships between elements in a hierarchical structure, often using visuals such as tree diagrams or organisational charts.

Examples:

In leadership training, such an infographic could outline an organisation’s hierarchy, offering a visual representation of management levels and their corresponding roles.

List Infographics

List infographics present information as a list, utilising icons and illustrations for enhanced visual appeal.

Examples:

Picture a nutrition and fitness course featuring a “Top 10 Healthy Snacks” list. This list infographic would display images of nutritious snacks alongside their benefits and calorie counts, providing a quick and informative resource.

There are other types we can come up with

Infographic types bring a practical visual dimension to online training programmes. They can improve engagement, comprehension, and knowledge retention. By incorporating them strategically, e-learning designers can transform complex concepts into captivating learning experiences.

Depending on your technology and platform, you may even use an infographic as a form of navigation and a pathway to dive deeper into the various areas, topics and concepts it illustrates.