Creating infographics for creative brainstorming sessions is a powerful way to visualize ideas, enhance understanding, and improve collaboration. Infographics combine visuals and data, turning complex concepts into clear, easy-to-digest formats. They can also stimulate creativity, help keep participants engaged, and serve as effective communication tools during brainstorming sessions.
In this guide, we’ll break down the process of creating infographics for creative brainstorming into manageable steps. This will include preparation, design principles, the tools you’ll need, and best practices to ensure your infographics add value to your sessions.
1. Understanding the Purpose of Infographics in Brainstorming
Infographics are not just about looking aesthetically pleasing; they are designed to communicate information in a way that enhances understanding. In brainstorming sessions, their purpose is twofold:
- Visualize ideas: Infographics make abstract thoughts and concepts tangible, helping participants see the connections between different pieces of information.
- Stimulate creativity: The act of creating and engaging with infographics encourages participants to think differently about the problem or idea at hand, potentially leading to innovative solutions.
In a brainstorming session, infographics can be used to display:
- Data trends and patterns
- Ideas generated during the session
- The relationships between different concepts
- A roadmap for next steps or decision-making processes
2. Preparation Before Creating Infographics
Before diving into the actual creation of the infographic, it’s essential to define the following:
i. Define the Goals
Identify the purpose of the brainstorming session and the role the infographic will play. Is it to organize ideas? Track the progress of the session? Provide an overview of a problem to solve? This will guide how you approach the design and what content to include.
ii. Gather Data and Ideas
Brainstorming often generates an overwhelming amount of information. Before creating an infographic, gather and categorize the ideas or data that need to be included. This might be done through:
- Mind mapping: Using a central concept and branching out ideas.
- SWOT analysis: Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a problem or idea.
- Sticky notes: Collecting and grouping ideas or feedback on virtual or physical sticky notes.
- Data collection: If you’re brainstorming around quantitative data, this is where you would pull in relevant stats, metrics, or research findings.
iii. Understand Your Audience
Who will be viewing the infographic? Knowing your audience will influence your design choices, from colors and fonts to the complexity of the visuals. For example:
- For a team of designers, you may opt for a more creative and abstract layout.
- For a group of stakeholders unfamiliar with the subject, clarity and simplicity should take priority.
3. Designing Infographics for Brainstorming Sessions
Designing an infographic for a brainstorming session should focus on clarity, usability, and engagement. Below are key principles to follow when designing the infographic:
i. Focus on Simplicity
The point of an infographic is to simplify complex ideas. Stick to key ideas and data points. Avoid overcrowding the graphic with too many details. This is especially important in a brainstorming context where ideas are still in development.
- Hierarchy of information: Organize ideas logically, with the most important information prominently displayed.
- Clear labeling: Use simple labels for categories or ideas so that everyone in the session understands their significance at a glance.
ii. Use Colors Strategically
Color is a powerful tool in an infographic, as it can:
- Draw attention to key areas
- Differentiate between various categories or themes
- Help in creating a sense of mood or tone
Choose a color scheme that is harmonious and easy on the eyes. Use contrasting colors for headings, subheadings, or callouts to make them stand out.
iii. Use Icons and Graphics
Instead of overloading the infographic with text, use icons, symbols, and graphics to represent ideas. This helps people process information faster and can also make the session more engaging.
- For example: A lightbulb icon can represent ideas or innovation, while a target icon could indicate goals or focus areas.
iv. Make Use of Visual Flow
Infographics should guide the viewer’s eye through the information in a logical order. Whether you are displaying a timeline, flowchart, or mind map, make sure there is a clear path for the viewer to follow. You can do this through the use of arrows, lines, or natural grouping of related ideas.
v. Incorporate Interactive Elements (if applicable)
In digital brainstorming sessions, you can make your infographic interactive. Tools like Canva, Miro, or Figma allow you to create clickable elements or dynamic charts that evolve as new ideas emerge.
4. Popular Infographic Styles for Brainstorming Sessions
There are several types of infographics that work particularly well for brainstorming sessions. Here are a few:
i. Mind Maps
Mind maps are a visual representation of how ideas are connected. A central idea or theme is placed in the middle, and related concepts branch out. Mind maps are useful for:
- Showing how brainstorming ideas are interrelated
- Organizing free-flowing thoughts into a coherent structure
Mind maps can be created on paper, in digital whiteboards, or with software like XMind or MindMeister.
ii. Flowcharts
Flowcharts help illustrate a process or sequence of steps. During a brainstorming session, flowcharts can be used to:
- Identify and map out steps needed to achieve a goal
- Show potential outcomes of various actions or decisions
- Organize a process from ideation to execution
Flowcharts are often used in product development, UX design, or project management brainstorming sessions.
iii. Timelines
Timelines are helpful in sessions where the focus is on planning or understanding a progression over time. They can be used to:
- Plan out the steps needed to complete a project
- Track milestones or deadlines
- Showcase the evolution of an idea or product
Timelines can also be interactive in digital formats, where participants can add or modify dates and tasks as brainstorming continues.
iv. Venn Diagrams
Venn diagrams are a great way to show the relationships between different ideas or concepts. They’re particularly useful when brainstorming around:
- Overlapping areas of interest or expertise
- Identifying common ground or shared values
- Comparing pros and cons
Venn diagrams are simple to create and offer clear visual representations of how concepts relate to each other.
v. Pictographs
For a brainstorming session that includes lots of data or statistics, a pictograph (a type of infographic that uses images to represent data) can be effective. These work best when you want to:
- Show comparative data visually
- Highlight key insights from research
- Display percentages or results in an easy-to-understand format
5. Tools and Platforms for Creating Infographics
Creating effective infographics requires the right tools. While many designers use professional software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, there are also simpler platforms specifically tailored for creating infographics, which are often perfect for brainstorming sessions.
i. Canva
Canva is a widely-used online tool that allows you to create infographics using pre-made templates. It’s easy to use, has drag-and-drop functionality, and offers a wide selection of icons, illustrations, and color schemes. It’s great for beginners.
ii. Miro
Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard tool that allows teams to brainstorm in real time. It has a wide range of templates for creating mind maps, flowcharts, and other types of visual diagrams.
iii. Venngage
Venngage is another popular infographic maker that offers templates, icons, and charts that can be easily customized. It also has features for collaboration, making it a good choice for group brainstorming.
iv. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is particularly useful for creating flowcharts, diagrams, and organizational charts. It’s a great option when you need to map out processes or workflows visually.
v. Figma
Figma is a design tool that’s great for collaborative design, including creating infographics. It’s ideal for teams that need to work together in real-time and share feedback instantly.
6. Best Practices for Using Infographics in Brainstorming Sessions
To get the most out of your infographics during a brainstorming session, keep these best practices in mind:
- Encourage participation: Use the infographic as a living document. Let the team interact with it by adding ideas, making changes, or suggesting improvements.
- Use it as a reference: Throughout the session, keep the infographic visible (whether physically or on-screen) to ensure everyone stays aligned with the goals and ideas.
- Be flexible: Brainstorming sessions often evolve, so be prepared to adapt the infographic as new ideas emerge. Tools like Miro allow for real-time editing, which makes this process much easier.
Conclusion
Infographics are a powerful tool for organizing, visualizing, and communicating ideas in creative brainstorming sessions. By using infographics, you can capture the essence of the session in a clear, engaging way, encouraging collaboration, fostering creativity, and making complex ideas more accessible. By carefully choosing the right style and utilizing the right tools, you can elevate your brainstorming sessions to a new level, making them not only more effective but also more enjoyable for all involved.