Best of Behance: Infographics

Data is often thought of as rather rigid and formal, but it doesn’t have to be. As designers, we can find creative ways to use type and imagery to communicate data without restricting ourselves to the same tired plots, charts, and graphs we’ve been using since our elementary school science project days. Of course, there’s a time and place for everything. If you’re designing something like an annual report, it’s best to stick with the classics, but in other cases, there are plenty of other ways to make data fun while still being functional. To explore some of the alternative ways data can be displayed, I’ve collected some of the most creative examples I could find on Behance.

Source: Emphase Sàrl

Source: Emphase Sàrl

Source: Emphase Sàrl

The first example comes from Switzerland-based graphic designer and art director, Emphase Sàrl. This double-page magazine spread for Dimensions compiles over a century’s worth of data, spanning from 1880 to 2018, charting the accumulation of waste. Divided into 4 categories: mineral extraction, micro-plastic in oceans, CO2 in the atmosphere, and debris in space, each chart is given the full width of the spread to place emphasis on the element of time. The charts themselves are simple, and make use of a low contrast green placing focus on the overall shape they create rather than any specific metrics. Using high-contrast imagery, specific call-outs to historical events along each chart adds a layer of cultural context, making the data both more meaningful and pleasing to look at.

Source: till noon

Source: till noon

Source: till noon

This next example features a collection of educational “chit charts” created by the Greek-based creative agency, till noon. Chit charts feature a variety of factoids spanning topics from sports and entertainment to animals and politics. This wide range of subject matters allows for a diverse selection of imagery and ample opportunity to get creative with the visuals. The team at till noon clearly has a knack for finding clever ways of taking standard charts and graphs and fusing them with imagery. The result is an image that is not only more interesting to look at, but retains the full functionality of the info at its core.

Source: María Carmona Díaz

Source: María Carmona Díaz

Source: María Carmona Díaz

This final set of examples comes from Spain-based creative director, María Carmona Díaz. Created as part of a personal project exploring ways of using visual diagrams to figuratively communicate data, Díaz takes a similar approach to till noon by using imagery to build the components of standard charts and graphs, but differs in her use of photography. By using the subject matter of the data themselves to construct each graph, the images produced feel unique and playful. The choice of type nicely compliments the playfulness of the images and the roundness of the churros themselves. This clean, minimal approach to design for the set as a whole allows the images to speak for themselves and the strength of this combination would be equally suited for either editorial or advertising use.

As you can see, data doesn’t have to be boring. The same data can be represented in a myriad of different ways and the only limiting factor is your imagination. Hopefully, the creative examples we’ve looked at here have left you feeling inspired to think of new ways to represent data in your work as well.