Data visualisation and icons
From icon to infographic
Sometimes, text is not enough to explain something clearly. Academics, communication advisors and policy makers of Utrecht University know all about that. They often make use of images to make complicated information more clarified. Some examples of this are research results, facts & numbers or predictions. But images can also make a news item or press release stand out better. Especially on social media.
How do you actually know what you need? A graph, an animation, a set of icons or an infographic? And what do you need for that, who can make it and how much time and money will it cost? The most important points are your core message, the target audience and the goal of the communication. With these answers in mind, you can plot the right course with a designer or maybe already get to work yourself. Be strict in this: eliminate everything that does not contribute to the core message. In order to prevent you from getting lost in the forest of data visualisations, there are tools to help you on your way.
Icons
A style of icons has been developed especially for Utrecht University. There are also a manual and illustrator template to make new icons with.
Checklist good data visualisation
Which form of data visualisation works for your message? A graph, an animation, an illustration or an infographic? This checklist helps you to go from question to briefing.
Which requirements does data visualisation have to meet?
- It clarifies something or provides a substantive insight that cannot be clarified in any other way, such as with text or photography.
- The style is recognisable as UU.
- The visualisation has a clear message and shows in one glance what this message is. One example of this is a catchy title.
- It has a relevant context. Separate numbers and facts, for example, can lack that context.
Do you need advice? Pay a visit to the Brand team, we love to help you.
With examples, advice or design capacity.