Thursday, June 5, 2014

23 Mobile Things: Thing 15 (Infographics)

Infographics: The Fast Food of the Information Buffet

Let's talk about some accessibility factors here. Infographics Hub and i Visual info Touch Lite (Who names these?) are iPad, but not iPhone/iPod Touch, compatible. I was not able to find Viz/Visualize Free.

This brings us to info.Graphics, an app that has no rating because it has had so little feedback. This is an app in which you (don't) get what you (don't) pay for. This app allows one to browse a smaller selection of already-created infographics on a broad range of subjects. Some of the information is dated (an infographic on chocolate talked about projected sales in 2011), some of the information is interesting if a little superficial, but I saw nothing particularly revolutionary or inspiring or motivating. This app might be of limited-to-moderate interest for individuals who enjoy trivia, possibly-outdated statistics, and or USA Today. Generally speaking, infographics are not meant to be read on one's small iPhone screen. If we as library professionals are using infographics to convey cool information, if we truly do care about accessibility of information for all, we need to be prepared to have that cool information available in formats that will work on a variety of platforms and devices.

I couldn't find any hip, free apps for infographics creation, but I did find a site that looks intriguing for those willing to make the fast food of the information world: http://infogr.am/ (I am not disparaging fast food or infographics too badly; they do big business.)

Also, for cynics and doubters and curmudgeons, there is this:

Infographics can be misleading (or "lies, damned lies, and statistics"). While infographics might be great persuasive pieces, it helps to find where the information presented in the graphic is coming from. One of the infographics I found on info.Graphics noted the sources of its information at the bottom of the screen, but the sources were not directly connected to the actual numbers and facts used.
This infographic would flunk English 101. Cite your sources when and where you use them.

At first, I was pretty disappointed with this thing. I was hoping for better free create-an-infographic apps, but, then again, that would result in a proliferation of bad infographics out there, wouldn't it? Maybe the lack of something is actually not a bad thing? Fast food for thought . . .

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