- Level Foundation
- Duration 9 hours
- Course by Michigan State University
-
Offered by
About
In this project-centered course*, you will create a content-rich infographic on a topic of your choice using Adobe Illustrator (which you can download for a free, 30-day trial). You might choose to create a visual representation of data from the world of sports, entertainment, politics, or science, to explain a business trend or environmental issue, or even to present a theme or development from your personal life. Your finished infographic will engage your target audience and convey information clearly through effective use of design elements such as typography, color, and structure. Whether you're a graphic designer, a writer or the intern in the department, you'll learn: - what an infographic is and what makes a good one - how to work within your limits - how to work with a team (if you have one) - why infographics are effective - techniques for spotting data in stories - six valuable steps for planning an effective infographic - how to use and make some of the building blocks of infographics: maps, charts and flow charts - ways data can be visualized to clarify it and give it meaning - how to effectively design a good infographic by effectively using elements like type, color and an underlying grid structure - some free or cheap, online tools for making various kinds of infographics As you work on your project, you'll learn more about why infographics are effective, what makes a good infographic, and how to plan and design an infographic for maximum impact. You'll explore various approaches to data visualization, and you'll practice creating visualizations like maps, charts, flow charts, and simple drawings in your free version of Adobe Illustrator. Please note that if you are new to learning graphics software, making these graphics could take much longer than estimated as you learn and grow. What you'll need to get started: This project-based course is aimed at anyone interested in understanding, designing, and using infographics - from students and hobbyists to professional graphic designers. We'll use Adobe Illustrator for some components of the project. If you don't have access to the full version of Illustrator,you can download a free version at www.Adobe.com/Illustrator. If the free 30-day trial runs out, you can "purchase" it for a month for about $20. *About Project-Centered Courses: Project centered courses are designed specifically to help you complete a personally meaningful real-world project, with your instructor and a community of like-minded learners providing guidance and suggestions along the way. By actively applying new concepts as you learn, you'll master the course content more efficiently; you'll also get a head start on using the skills you gain to make positive changes in your life and career. When you complete the course, you'll have a finished project that you'll be proud to use and share. When you enroll in certain courses, you'll be asked to pay a small fee to share your work with others for peer review.Modules
Videos: Important things to know about infographics
1
Discussions
- What are your thoughts on this infographic?
8
Videos
- Meet The Professor
- What You'll Learn
- What is an Infographic?
- Why are infographics useful?
- Types of Infographics
- What are some things you can do to visualize data
- What Makes an Infographic good?
- How to work alone or with a team
Videos: How to plan your infographic (you'll make one later, but not yet!)
1
Discussions
- SHARE your thoughts about these popular online sites for making infographics
6
Videos
- Planning STEP 1: What's Your Goal?
- Planning STEP 2: Who is your Audience?
- Planning STEP 3: What is your Story?
- Planning STEP 4: What is your Message?
- Planning STEP 5: How to Find Stories in Data?
- Planning STEP 6: What is your supporting content/data?
1
Readings
- GREAT sites for making infographics online (with reviews & tutorials)
TWO-PART ASSIGNMENT: Research and plan your infographic
2
Peer Review
- 1) PLAN your infographic with these six steps
- 2) SKETCH a layout of your infographic
2
Videos
- Video: The importance of sketching
- Video: START TO FINISH: How I make an infographic
Videos: Important things to know about charts
3
Videos
- The three amigos: bar, pie and line charts. What they do.
- A few chart dos and don'ts
- Six ways to visualize the same data in a chart
1
Readings
- Print out: What kind of data goes on bar, pie and line charts?
Adobe Illustrator tutorials: Charts
1
Videos
- How to make a PIE chart in Adobe Illustrator
1
Readings
- Video: How to make a BAR chart in Adobe Illustrator
Make a chart
1
Peer Review
- Make a line, pie or bar chart using Adobe Illustrator
Videos: Important things you should know about maps
4
Videos
- Map components: visual variables
- Types of maps
- Type on maps
- Drawing roads and info pointer boxes on maps that aren't awful
2
Readings
- Example images of good roads for maps drawn in Illustrator
- Examples of pointer (info) boxes for maps drawn in Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator tutorial: Maps
2
Videos
- How to make a map in Adobe Illustrator (Oregon)
- How to use and how NOT to use the pen tool
1
Readings
- Link to more detailed video tutorial: How to make a map in Adobe Illustrator (Michigan)
Make a map
1
Peer Review
- Make a map with a theme
A few more things...
2
Videos
- Color in infographics
- Don't hurt your image with bad, sloppy work
Adobe Illustrator tutorial. Drawing.
1
Videos
- How to draw a simple illustration in Adobe Illustrator
1
Readings
- Video: How working with type in Adobe Illustrator
Critique an infographic
1
Peer Review
- Make an infographic on the topic of your choice
Auto Summary
Enhance your design skills with the "Design and Make Infographics" course, focusing on creating impactful infographics using Adobe Illustrator. Guided by expert instructors, you'll learn essential design elements, data visualization techniques, and effective planning strategies. Perfect for students, hobbyists, and professionals, this project-centered course spans 540 minutes and offers various subscription options, including starter and professional plans. Join now to transform your data into engaging visual stories and elevate your personal or professional projects.

Karl Gude