High-Level Taxonomy of Infographics
1. By Primary Purpose
Educational Infographics
- Instructional: Step-by-step guides and tutorials
- Explanatory: Concept clarification and knowledge transfer
- Awareness: Public health, safety, and social issues
- Reference: Quick facts, cheat sheets, and summarized information
- Marketing: Product features, brand messaging, and campaigns
- Sales: Pricing comparisons, benefits, and value propositions
- Corporate: Company profiles, achievements, and milestones
- Event: Conference schedules, speaker profiles, and venue information
Analytical Infographics
- Research: Survey results, study findings, and academic data
- Performance: KPIs, metrics, and business intelligence
- Comparative: Market analysis, competitor benchmarking
- Trend: Historical patterns, forecasts, and predictions
Persuasive Infographics
- Advocacy: Social causes, political campaigns, and activism
- Opinion: Editorial viewpoints and thought leadership
- Call-to-Action: Behavior change and engagement drivers
- Timeline: Chronological sequences and historical progressions
- Process Flow: Sequential steps and workflows
- Roadmap: Strategic plans and project phases
- Journey Map: User experiences and customer pathways
- Organizational: Structure charts and reporting relationships
- Categorical: Classification systems and taxonomies
- Decision Tree: Branching logic and choice frameworks
- Mind Map: Conceptual relationships and idea mapping
- Side-by-Side: Direct feature or option comparisons
- Matrix: Multi-dimensional comparison grids
- Before/After: Transformation and change illustrations
- Pros/Cons: Advantage and disadvantage breakdowns
- Cycle: Recurring processes and continuous loops
- Hub: Central concept with radiating elements
- Wheel: Segmented information around a core theme
- Pie: Proportional relationships and percentages
3. By Content Domain
Statistical Infographics
- Survey Data: Poll results, demographic information, and market research
- Financial: Budget breakdowns, revenue analysis, and economic indicators
- Scientific: Research data, experimental results, and measurements
- Social: Population statistics, behavioral patterns, and trends
Geographic Infographics
- Maps: Regional data, location-based information, and spatial relationships
- Demographic: Population distribution and regional characteristics
- Economic: Trade flows, resource distribution, and economic zones
- Environmental: Climate data, natural resources, and ecological information
Conceptual Infographics
- Abstract Ideas: Philosophical concepts, theoretical frameworks
- Relationships: Connections between ideas, people, or systems
- Frameworks: Mental models, methodologies, and approaches
- Principles: Rules, guidelines, and best practices
Biographical Infographics
- Personal Profiles: Individual achievements, life stories, and career paths
- Historical Figures: Important personalities and their contributions
- Team Introductions: Staff profiles and organizational members
- Industry Leaders: Thought leaders and influential personalities
4. By Visual Complexity
Minimalist Infographics
- Simple Charts: Basic graphs with essential data points
- Clean Typography: Text-heavy designs with minimal graphics
- Monochrome: Single or limited color palettes
- Geometric: Basic shapes and simple visual elements
Detailed Infographics
- Rich Illustrations: Complex drawings and detailed graphics
- Multi-layered: Multiple information layers and depth
- Photographic: Real images integrated with data visualization
- Artistic: Creative and aesthetically focused designs
Interactive Infographics
- Clickable Elements: User-triggered content reveals
- Animated Components: Motion graphics and transitions
- Data Filtering: User-controlled data manipulation
- Responsive Design: Device-adaptive layouts and interactions
Static Infographics
- Print-Ready: High-resolution designs for physical reproduction
- Digital Images: Web-optimized graphics for online sharing
- Presentation Slides: Meeting and presentation materials
- Poster Format: Large-scale display graphics
Animated Infographics
- GIF Format: Simple looping animations
- Video Integration: Motion graphics with narrative elements
- Micro-Animations: Subtle movements and transitions
- Explainer Videos: Comprehensive animated explanations
Interactive Digital
- Web Applications: Browser-based interactive experiences
- Mobile Apps: Touch-optimized infographic interfaces
- Dashboard Elements: Real-time data visualization components
- Virtual/Augmented Reality: Immersive 3D information experiences
6. By Audience Targeting
General Public
- Mass Media: Broad appeal and simplified messaging
- Social Sharing: Viral-optimized and shareable content
- Educational Outreach: Public awareness and literacy
- Consumer Information: Product and service explanations
Professional/Technical
- Industry-Specific: Specialized knowledge and terminology
- Academic: Research-focused and peer-reviewed content
- Corporate Internal: Employee-targeted information
- Expert Analysis: Advanced technical and analytical content
Stakeholder-Specific
- Investor Relations: Financial performance and strategic updates
- Customer Support: Help documentation and troubleshooting
- Partner Communications: B2B relationship materials
- Regulatory Compliance: Legal and compliance-focused information