WEEK 11: INFORMATION GRAPHICS : 1) Look at the following information graphic broken down into a series of 4 images and answer the following question.

The original photograph is called “Skull with cigarette, 2007” by Chris Jordan. It has a caption below the photogtaphs which reads: “Depicts 200,000 packs of cigarettes, equal to the number of Americans who die from cigarette smoking every six months”. Why didn’t the photographer just present the information in numbers? Why explain the statistics in graphical form?

Info graphics are essential in story telling, however images alone cannot provide information which is fully comprehensible. Words will forever be a major component in communication. Informational graphics (infographics) are primarily visual displays provided with labels and text which aids in explaining the illustration meanings (Lester, 1995).

The photograph above which shows images of a skull in which the image is actually a illustration of graph which shows 200,000 packs of cigarettes is equal to the number of Americans whoo die from cigarette smoking every six months. The photographer uses an image of a skull in presenting the information instead of in numbers and in graphs possibly because it is more understandable, appealing and it is remembered. According to Vogel Et. Al in 1986 “Visual presentations provided with visual aids are 43% more persuasive than unaided presentations. Presentations made with visual information are more comprehensible than presentations made with verbal dominancy” (Petterson, 1989).

The image which is being used is an image of a skull which is smoking it is symbolizes the idea that smoking causes deaths which is related to the effects of smoking to a person. This is perhaps why the photographer uses the image of a skull. According to Otto Neurath in 1925 “words divide, pictures unite”. When majority are visually literate, people across different cultures is united through the same understanding of information which is presented by images which contained informational graphics. It is essential for an info graphic designer to put the audience’s understanding of the presentation of their work as a priority (Lester, 1995).

Which can be seen from the photographs above which provided a caption of the photos states “Skull with cigarette, 2007” by Chris Jordan. It has a caption below the photogtaphs which reads: “Depicts 200,000 packs of cigarettes, equal to the number of Americans who die from cigarette smoking every six months”.  The photographer aim is to attract the viewer or audience through his creativity in using the image to provide the statistics or graphs  provided with the caption attached to it. A picture without a caption is considered as something that has no informational value. However, a picture’s caption has to describe a picture and it has to be able to guide the viewer to the interpretation which the producer is wish to present (Petterson, 1993).

The best infographic designs are the ones that “draw the viewer into the wonder of the data” (Lester, 1995).From the photographs shown above, it attracts the viewer and leaves them in astonishment of the possibility of putting information or statistics by using a skull how could a large information fits the skull perfectly (leaves viewer in wonder).

As a conclusion, the photographer presents the information not in statistical numbered form because he/she wants it to be appealing, remembered, comprehensible, leaves the viewer in wonder, it is easier to understand provided with the images and captions. However, information graphics should be thorough in presenting the information to not overlook the graphics and designs therefore neglecting the importance of presenting acurate the actual data or statistics because the audience or viewer is not careless, or unknowledgable. Neglecting the importance of presenting actual data or statistics to the audience is disrespectful and damages the communication (Lester, 1995).

References:

Lester, P. M (1995): Informational Graphics. Visual Communication: Images with messages. California: Wadsworth Publishing.

Petterson, Rune ((1989): Visuals for information Research and practice. United States of America: Educational Technology Publications Englewood Cliffs.

Petterson, Rune (1993) : Visual Information (2^nd ed.). New Jersey: Educational Technology Publications.