By now we have all heard (and maybe even repeated) the axiom that visuals increase audience engagement. However, using sources like Shutterstock or Getty Images for attractive visuals is only part of the equation. Infographics are another source of visual communication and have the advantage of being portable, linkable, and able to break down complex concepts into more easily digested bite-sized pieces of information. If making your own infographics seems out of your reach, think again. Here are five great sources for making your own infographics for free.
Piktochart offers a wide selection of customizable templates, icons, shapes, and lines that you can mix and match with user-created text to create your very own infographic. A little experience with image-editing software will give you a small advantage in manipulating the graphic elements, but the intuitive interface and excellent selection of templates will have you up and running in no time.
Easel.ly offers the user the ability to “easily” alter the offered templates to reflect the user’s goals. What Easel.ly lacks in customizable options it makes up for in ease of use. The website also offers the option to start with a blank canvas, removing the challenge of having to force your ideas into someone else’s template. Easel.ly is streamlined, easy to understand and gives users a quick way to incorporate charts and other icons into their infographics.
Creately brings a more analytical flavor to creating infographics, but their assortment of diagram options is astounding. One of the few sites that lets you use the service without asking you to register (although you will give up use of some options), Creately lets you collaborate remotely with others on your team and build straightforward infographics in a painless manner.
Infogram offers both free and premium accounts on web-based platform where users can create their own visual assets. While their free offerings for infographic templates is a little thin, their powerful and easy-to-use service offers quite a selection of sophisticated chart-based elements. You customize color, text, and other elements as well as use multiple charts to illustrate your data.
Canva offers a strong, refined aesthetic that leads users in the direction of potent visuals and restrained presentation. Although Canva does charge for the use of some elements, their free offerings should satisfy you initially. In addition, Canva offers a multitude of tutorials to bring you up to speed even if you don’t have a background in design.
It’s time for you to test the waters of infographics. Don’t be shy! You’ve got the tools to do it, and need no design skills at all. Take that Nike philosophy and Just do It!
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