At a recent ARTeacher Fellowship professional development workshop, participants explored infographics and data visualization. Led by ARTeacher alum Josh Vest, the workshop demonstrated how well-made infographics are designed not just to be pretty, but to best convey the information desired. Vest presented infographics as a type of visual essay, noting how the common writing modes and strategies are also at play in infographics, and how students and teachers can use visual literacy and principles of design to make textual information even more powerful. The workshop also looked at how poorly-made infographics can be unappealling, confusing, or even intentionally misleading. Like a good infographic, the day’s learning was engaging as well as enlightening.
