An information graphic for the latest issue of EnergyBiz, still in production.
I have a love-hate relationship with information graphics.
They are seductive because they are engaging and stimulating in the creation process.
They are evil because they look and seem to be so simple, but are really a time management black hole.
The image to the left is a great example. In the bi-monthly periodical EnergyBiz, which I have worked on since day one, in November 2004, we have a department titled Metrics, which shows anywhere from four to eight information graphics. Usually these are just tables, various charts, scatter graphs, and the like. The editor often encourages more illustrative graphics like this example.
The reason I consider them a time management black hole is because when I start work on one, it seems so simple to make the point, and use good color harmony and composition and typography to make it effective and remarkable. And it seems like it could be done in around 30 minutes.
Four hours later, when you step back and consider it good, you realize you’ve spent half of your work day on it.
I’ve considered charging a premium for quality information graphics. It could be lucrative to create them full-time.