HOW TO CREATE

Infographic

ICONS
IN SECONDS
 Visual communication of any kind,
whether persuasive or informative, from
billboards to birth announcements,
should be seen as the embodiment of
form and function; the integration of
the beautiful and useful.

PAUL RAND
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1

DO: Use Labels 2

DO NOT: Use Random Icons 5

DO: Use Icons For Quick Context 8

DO NOT: Neglect Icon Backgrounds 10

DO: Use Icons As Anchors 12

DO: Give It A Backbone With Icons 15

DO: Match Fonts With Icons 19

BONUS! 23
 Have you ever looked at an icon on a page
or in an infographic and thought, That
doesnt make sense within this context...

When it comes to icons, its important to make

sure that the icon represents the subject matter
within the content so that it adds value rather
than distracts from it.

No visualization should ever be used simply for

the sake of having something there.

Any visualization you use, icons included,

should be chosen with purpose based on the
message youre trying to convey to the reader.
Luckily, we have some tips for choosing icons
like a pro.

1
 DO:
Use Labels

2
 DO: USE LABELS

The best way to make sure an icon is useful is

to include a label or text with it. Unless the icon
is universally understood, it helps to explain the
graphic with textual clues.

Imagine if you saw the infographic on the left

below. Would you be able figure out what the icon
in the bottom right meant without the textual clue
on the right example? Probably not. Click Here
to use this template

The icons and text work together to paint a complete picture of the idea.

3
 DO: USE LABELS

Here is another example of the need for labels

alongside icons. Without labels, youre stuck
wondering what each section is about, making it
harder to skim the material.
Click Here
to use this template

On the right, the labels and icons work together to give context.

4
 DO NOT:
Use Random
Icons

5
 DO NOT: USE RANDOM ICONS

Just because you like the concept of an icon, doesnt

mean you should use it. Icons need to have purpose
in both concept and appearance.

For example, take a look at the infographics below: Click Here

to use this template

While the infographic on the right looks
professional and consistent because all of the
icons are created in the same style, the icons
on the left look out of place and inconsistent.
Why does this matter? If you use unfitting
icons, your readers will get stuck criticizing
your icon choices instead of appreciating the
content your infographic is displaying. Instead
of focusing on your content, readers get stuck
looking at your odd icon choice.

6
 DO NOT: USE RANDOM ICONS

Heres a final example of how poor icon matching

ultimately distracts from the content of an infographic: Click Here
to use this template

Instead of paying attention to the budget Icons in infographics should always add to the
numbers highlighted in this infographic, content, not detract or distract. Stick to this
your eyes are instead drawn directly to the mantra and it will help you create useful and
mismatched icons. beautiful infographics!

7
 DO:
Use Icons For
Quick Context

8
 DO: USE ICONS FOR QUICK CONTEXT

One of the easiest ways to immediately add
information and order to your infographic
without using words, is by incorporating icons.
Whether its by identifying a certain brand,
item or group, icons will always help with
establishing context quickly. They help break
down complex data or information
for consumption.
For example in the infographic example on the
right, you can quickly get an idea about what
each section will be about. The icons make it
very easy to quickly move or even skim through
the presented text in an orderly fashion.
Click Here
to use this template

On the other side, we have check marks that DO fit the overall theme of the infographic but DO
NOT help the reader understand the content. This drives down the effectiveness of the icons
used in this example.

You can establish context without needing extra content by using the correct icons. The easier
you make it to understand, the more useful it will be for all the readers.

9
DO NOT:
Neglect Icon
Backgrounds

10
 DO NOT: NEGLECT ICON BACKGROUNDS

If you are looking for an easy way to make a
batch of icons look spectacular, try using a
background shape or border around icon.
Take a look at these examples to see the tactic
in practice:
Not only do the background shapes on the
example on the right add color to the info-
graphic, they also provide order and a point of
focus. This is extremely important if you are
using icons as anchors or headers for the
text nearby.
Click Here
to use this template

By using different background colors for your icons, like in the example above, you can quickly
establish that each point is different from the others and make it easier for the sections to stand
out from one another.

11
 DO:
Use Icons As
Anchors

12
 DO: USE ICONS AS ANCHORS
Anchors are focal points that help tie a section
together.
Using icons as anchors gives content a focal
point. They also provide hierarchy and context
to the text that they are anchored to.
In contrast, the example on the left is lacking.
There is less context, flow, and organization in
this example without the icons. And people will
stop reading it if the infographic is not easy to
follow or comprehend.
13
For example, below we have used icons
to anchor the many different social media
descriptions to the timeline. By adding icons, it
adds better flow and context to the timeline and
helps pull your eye down the infographic.
Click Here
to use this template
In short, icons are the anchors that help keep
ideas organized and prominent.
 DO: USE ICONS AS ANCHORS

Here is another example of a template with

icons being used as anchors: Click Here
to use this template

These icons provide context for each section and make the whole infographic more visual.

14
 DO:
Give It A
Backbone
With Icons

15
 DO: GIVE IT A BACKBONE WITH ICONS

Click Here
to use this template
Most great infographics have what we call
a backbone. A backbone is a consistent
design element used for organizing the flow
of the infographic. It could be an icon, line, or
layout that helps a reader move through an
infographic.

Graphics and icons are very effective for not

only getting the readers attention but guiding
their eyes down the page. Establishing a visual
guide is essential if you want your creation to
be useful and easy-to-grasp.

Establishing a backbone could include many

different tactics, so well go through a few
examples few examples to help you visualize it.

In this infographic the centered icons are the

backbone of the infographic, because it helps
point out the organization of the layout to the
reader.

16
 DO: MATCH FONTS WITH ICONS

You can also use icons that are formatted to Another way to use icons as the backbone is
the right or the left from the content by using by alternating their position from left to right
icons in a grid, as in the example below: with each section:

Click Here Click Here

to use this template to use this template

17
 DO: MATCH FONTS WITH ICONS

Click Here
to use this template

You can also create an effective backbone by

using lines to connect important sections:

18
 DO:
Match Fonts
With Icons

19
 DO: MATCH FONTS WITH ICONS

Picking icons to use with your headers and fonts

can be another area of difficulty for non-designers.

When it comes to icons and fonts, great pairings

can be achieved just by keeping the style consistent
throughout.

For example, take a look at the infographics below:

Click Here
to use this template

The infographic on the left conveys a certain
feel of professionalism because the strong title
font contrast the minimalism of the icons, and
all of the fonts match each other, thus creating
a well-organized design structure. The example
on the right, on the other hand, uses four
different fonts that dont have the same level of
contrast with the icon.
Heres a good rule of thumb: If your icons are
minimalist, light, and thin, try using strong fonts
in contrast!

20
 DO: MATCH FONTS WITH ICONS

On the other hand, if youre using bolder, fuller
icons, use a minimal font to create contrast.
In this case the font can be minimal because
the icon will most likely be the eye catcher
instead of the title or text. Heres an example
demonstrating that effect:
In this example the icon and font on the left
show good contrast because the icon is meant
to stand out. The version on the right, however,
doesnt have the same level of contrast,
making the focal point harder to navigate.

Click Here
to use this template

Click Here
to use this template

21
 Now that youre familiar with the dos and
donts of using icons in infographic design, its
time to start putting your knowledge to work.
Just remember: the best way to get better at
design is practice.

No ones first infographic is their best design

ever. But, between the tips in this ebook and
the other resources available to you, youll be
creating amazing infographics in no time!

Looking for some great infographic templates

to get you started? Check out the Venngage
infographic templates library.

22
 BONUS!
Now that youve made it through this ebook I
am guessing you are itching to use icons in all
of your infographics.

I know that I would be!

That is why we decided to help you get started

by creating 21 icon recipies that you can use in
any infographic.

And best of all, they can be copied into any

of your graphics on Venngage!

Click Here
to use this template

+ MORE

23
 I strive for two things in design:
simplicity and clarity. Great design is
born of those two things.

LINDON LEADER
 CRE ATE

INFOGRAPHICS

WITH VENNGAGE

VENNGAGE.COM