When designing infographics for new employee orientation, it’s important to include the most relevant and crucial information that new hires need to understand from day one. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements to consider:
1. Company Overview
The first thing new employees should understand is the company’s mission, vision, and values. This section should provide a brief but impactful snapshot of the organization.
Elements to include:
- Mission Statement: The company’s purpose and why it exists.
- Vision: The company’s long-term goals or aspirations.
- Core Values: The principles that guide the company’s culture and decision-making.
- History: A brief timeline or highlights of the company’s founding and major achievements.
Visual Examples:
- Icons representing values (e.g., integrity, innovation, customer focus).
- A timeline showing key company milestones.
- A simple visual or illustration of the company’s mission.
2. Company Structure and Teams
New employees should quickly grasp the company’s organizational structure to understand reporting lines and how different teams collaborate. This can include key departments, leadership hierarchy, and team structures.
Elements to include:
- Organizational Chart: A visual representation of the company’s hierarchy.
- Departments and Functions: Icons or labels representing different teams or departments, like HR, IT, Sales, Marketing, and Finance.
- Leadership: Photos and titles of key executives or managers.
Visual Examples:
- A flowchart or hierarchy diagram showing the reporting structure.
- Icons for each department, with brief descriptions of their functions.
3. Employee Benefits and Perks
One of the most anticipated sections of orientation is understanding the benefits and perks that come with the job. Infographics are a great way to make this information clear and memorable.
Elements to include:
- Health Benefits: Information on insurance, wellness programs, and other health-related perks.
- Retirement Plans: Overview of 401(k), pensions, or stock options.
- Vacation and Time Off: Details about paid time off (PTO), sick days, holidays, and vacation policies.
- Other Perks: Things like gym memberships, wellness programs, and office snacks.
Visual Examples:
- Simple icons representing different benefits (e.g., a heart for health insurance, a calendar for PTO).
- A flowchart or checklist summarizing the process of enrolling in benefits.
4. Workplace Culture and Expectations
Understanding the workplace culture is essential for new employees to succeed. This section helps them understand the day-to-day atmosphere, office etiquette, and expectations for behavior.
Elements to include:
- Communication Norms: The preferred channels for communication (e.g., Slack, email, in-person meetings).
- Dress Code: Expectations for attire, whether it’s formal, casual, or flexible.
- Core Work Hours: Information about work schedules, flex hours, or remote work policies.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: A brief overview of how teams work together (e.g., cross-functional teams, regular meetings, etc.).
Visual Examples:
- Icons for email, Slack, and meetings.
- Illustrations of people collaborating or communicating.
- A visual checklist of key workplace expectations.
5. Onboarding Schedule
Having a visual schedule of the first few weeks is invaluable for new hires. Infographics make it easy to break down the steps and give them a clear sense of what to expect during onboarding.
Elements to include:
- Day 1: Introduction to the team, company orientation, setting up accounts.
- Week 1: Introduction to tools and software, meetings with key stakeholders, initial training sessions.
- First Month: Review of progress, deeper integration into team projects, and performance reviews.
Visual Examples:
- A timeline or checklist breaking down the first week/month in simple, easy-to-read stages.
- Icons or illustrations representing training, meetings, and assessments.
6. Training and Development
Continuous learning is an integral part of most workplaces, and new hires should know how to continue growing within the company. This section should focus on available training resources, programs, and opportunities for professional development.
Elements to include:
- Online Learning Platforms: Details on any available platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or internal training modules.
- Mentorship Programs: How new employees can engage with mentors or join buddy programs.
- Conferences and Workshops: Opportunities for growth outside the workplace.
- Feedback Mechanisms: How to request feedback or coaching.
Visual Examples:
- Icons or images representing different types of training (e.g., computer for online learning, person with a speech bubble for mentorship).
- A simple process flow showing how to sign up for training or development programs.
7. Tools and Resources
New employees need to quickly get up to speed with the tools they’ll use every day. This section should highlight the essential software, platforms, and resources they’ll rely on.
Elements to include:
- Software: Overview of the tools used for communication, project management, and task tracking (e.g., Slack, Trello, Jira).
- Internal Resources: Links to the company intranet, knowledge base, or employee handbook.
- IT Setup: Instructions for setting up company email, Wi-Fi, and other essential systems.
Visual Examples:
- Icons for different tools (e.g., a chat bubble for Slack, a calendar for Google Calendar).
- A step-by-step guide on how to access the intranet or set up IT accounts.
8. Health and Safety Policies
For industries where health and safety are crucial, it’s important to include information about these policies in the orientation materials.
Elements to include:
- Emergency Procedures: Fire exits, evacuation plans, and first-aid stations.
- Safety Protocols: Workplace safety guidelines and reporting systems.
- Wellness Programs: Initiatives designed to promote employee health and well-being.
Visual Examples:
- Icons for emergency exits, first aid, and safety equipment.
- A simple flowchart or checklist for what to do in an emergency.
Designing Your New Employee Orientation Infographics
Once you have the key elements outlined, it’s time to focus on the design. Good design is crucial to creating an effective infographic, and it should enhance the message, not distract from it.
1. Maintain a Clean and Consistent Layout
The layout should be easy to follow, with a clear hierarchy of information. Start with the most important details at the top and work your way down. Ensure there is ample white space to prevent the infographic from looking cluttered.
Tip: Use grids or templates to align elements consistently.
2. Choose a Cohesive Color Scheme
The colors you use should be in line with your company’s branding, but they should also serve a functional purpose. Use colors to distinguish between different sections, highlight important points, and create visual appeal.
Tip: Stick to 2-3 primary colors and 1-2 accent colors to avoid overwhelming the viewer.
3. Use Icons and Visual Elements
Icons and visual elements (such as charts, graphs, and illustrations) help break down information and make the infographic more engaging. Use them to represent key ideas, like health benefits, safety protocols, or team departments.
Tip: Use simple and consistent icons that match your overall design style.
4. Keep Text Concise
Text-heavy infographics can be overwhelming, so it’s important to keep your text concise and to the point. Use bullet points, short phrases, and numbers where possible.
Tip: Make sure the font is legible and appropriately sized for readability.
5. Make It Interactive (If Applicable)
If your new employee orientation is digital, consider making the infographic interactive. Hyperlinks to relevant resources, videos, or websites can provide new employees with easy access to further information.
Tools to Create Infographics for New Employee Orientation
Several tools can help you create professional and visually appealing infographics for employee orientation:
1. Canva
Canva is a popular tool for creating infographics, offering a range of templates and customization options. It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require advanced design skills.
2. Visme
Visme is another great tool for creating infographics with interactive features. It allows you to embed videos, links, and animations, making it ideal for digital onboarding.
3. Piktochart
Piktochart provides a variety of templates specifically designed for infographics, including those for employee orientation. It’s easy to use and offers many customization options.
4. Adobe Illustrator
For those with design expertise, Adobe Illustrator offers the most flexibility and control over the infographic creation process. You can create custom illustrations, detailed icons, and fully tailored designs.
5. Venngage
Venngage is another infographic creation tool with a wide range of templates. It’s ideal for creating visually appealing and information-rich infographics for orientation.
Conclusion
Infographics are an excellent way to streamline and enhance the new employee orientation process. By simplifying complex information, increasing engagement, and improving retention, infographics can help new hires quickly grasp key company policies, values, and procedures. With careful planning and design, your infographics can provide a welcoming, informative, and memorable introduction to your company, setting new employees up for success.