Let’s be constructive for a couple of minutes. It’s almost too easy to bash Good Magazine for their irrelevant and sometimes just plain dumb info graphics (or data visualizations), but is there anyone out there who’s doing it right?
The New York Times does an excellent job, most of the time (see Jess’s post), but the style has to be somewhat dull and dry, to conform with the Times’ brand. You can also find the odd RIA that delivers on both function and form, such as (careful, you’ll be hitting “refresh” every hour with this one). But there’s only one source for info-graphics that’s found the best synergy between function and form, in my humble opinion, and that’s Wired Magazine.
You simply become smarter after browsing Wired’s info-graphics. They pull you in with the attractive visuals, and reward you with new knowledge. They seem to adhere to the following recipe in their designs:
- Display the most relevant and useful information, (content)
- in the clearest and most intuitive way, (form, structure)
- and keep it visually engaging and attractive, so people don’t get bored. (style, emotional appeal)
This is important because there’s a lot of information out there nowadays, and if you have a message, you need to make sure it’s delivered in the most efficient and effective way. Wired has mastered the techniqes that make it possible to educate and influence people without drowning in their own self-admiration or losing the message in the medium.
I just hope more good intentioned people like the folks at Good Magazine learn from Wired’s pitch-perfect visualizations, so they can better spread the most important messages of our time.
Wired’s infographics are anything but intuitive! They are certainly are engaging and attractive, though, and in the end, you spend a good portion of time just enjoying the beauty and soaking up knowledge.