Infographic Data Summarizer

When to use this skill

• User asks to create infographic content
• User needs data visualization summaries
• User wants statistics formatted visually
• User mentions chart or graph selection
• User needs research distilled for visuals

Workflow

• [ ] Extract key data points
• [ ] Identify main insight
• [ ] Structure visual hierarchy
• [ ] Suggest chart types
• [ ] Write supporting copy
• [ ] Create design brief

Instructions

Step 1: Data Source Analysis

Data source types:

| Source | Extraction Approach | | --------------- | ------------------------------------- | | Research report | Key findings, statistics, conclusions | | Survey results | Top responses, percentages, trends | | Article/blog | Statistics cited, main claims | | Dataset (CSV) | Summarize, find outliers, trends | | Case study | Before/after metrics, results | | Industry report | Market size, growth, forecasts |

Data extraction template:

## Data Extraction: [Source Title]

**Source:** [URL or document name]
**Date published:** [Date]
**Credibility:** [High/Medium/Low]

### Raw Data Points

| Statistic | Value    | Context            |
| --------- | -------- | ------------------ |
| [Metric]  | [Number] | [What it measures] |
| [Metric]  | [Number] | [What it measures] |
| [Metric]  | [Number] | [What it measures] |

### Key Findings

1. [Finding with specific number]
2. [Finding with specific number]
3. [Finding with specific number]

### Quotable Stat

"[Most compelling statistic in sentence form]"

Step 2: Data Prioritization

Statistic selection criteria:

| Criteria | Priority | | ------------------------------ | -------- | | Surprising or counterintuitive | High | | Large percentage or growth | High | | Directly relevant to audience | High | | Comparison/contrast | Medium | | Supporting detail | Low | | Common knowledge | Skip |

Priority matrix:

## Data Priority

### Hero Stat (1)

[The single most compelling/shareable statistic]

### Primary Stats (2-3)

1. [Supporting major insight]
2. [Supporting major insight]
3. [Supporting major insight]

### Secondary Stats (3-5)

1. [Adds context]
2. [Adds context]
3. [Adds context]

### Discard

- [Not compelling enough]
- [Too complex to visualize]

Step 3: Visual Hierarchy Structure

Infographic anatomy:

## Infographic Structure

### Header Section

- **Title:** [Attention-grabbing headline]
- **Subtitle:** [Context or scope]
- **Source logo:** [If featuring research partner]

### Hero Section

- **Big number:** [Hero statistic]
- **Supporting text:** [1-sentence context]
- **Icon/illustration:** [Visual representation]

### Body Sections (3-5)

#### Section 1: [Theme]

- **Subhead:** [Section title]
- **Stat:** [Number or percentage]
- **Visual:** [Chart type or icon]
- **Caption:** [Brief explanation]

#### Section 2: [Theme]

[Repeat format]

#### Section 3: [Theme]

[Repeat format]

### Footer Section

- **Call-to-action:** [What to do next]
- **Source citation:** [Where data came from]
- **Branding:** [Logo, URL, social handles]

Step 4: Chart Type Selection

Chart selection guide:

| Data Type | Best Chart | When to Use | | ---------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------- | | Parts of whole | Pie/donut | Max 5 segments, percentages | | Comparison | Bar chart | Comparing categories | | Ranking | Horizontal bar | Ordered list, top 10 | | Change over time | Line chart | Trends, time series | | Relationship | Scatter plot | Correlation between variables | | Distribution | Histogram | Frequency, ranges | | Flow/process | Flowchart | Steps, decisions | | Geographic | Map | Location-based data | | Proportion | Icon array | X out of Y representation | | Progress | Progress bar | Completion, goals |

Chart alternatives:

| Instead of | Consider | Why | | --------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------ | | Pie chart (6+ slices) | Horizontal bar | Easier to compare | | 3D charts | 2D flat | More accurate perception | | Dual-axis line | Two separate charts | Less confusing | | Dense data table | Highlighted key rows | Scannable |

Visual metaphors:

| Concept | Visual Approach | | ---------- | ---------------------------- | | Growth | Upward arrows, stacked bars | | Speed | Speedometer, racing imagery | | Money | Coins, bills, dollar signs | | Time | Clocks, calendars, timelines | | People | Icon figures, silhouettes | | Comparison | Side-by-side, vs. graphics |

Step 5: Copy Elements

Headline formulas:

| Formula | Example | | ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | [Number] + [Noun] + [Action/Result] | "5 Habits That Double Productivity" | | The State of [Topic] in [Year] | "The State of Remote Work in 2026" | | [Question]? | "Where Does Your Time Really Go?" | | [X] vs [Y]: [Comparison] | "Millennials vs Gen Z: Spending Habits" | | What [Number] [People] Taught Us | "What 1,000 Marketers Taught Us About AI" | | The [Adjective] Guide to [Topic] | "The Visual Guide to Sleep Science" |

Section headlines:

## Section Headline Patterns

- [Number] + Key Insight: "73% prefer remote work"
- Question format: "Who's adopting AI fastest?"
- Comparison: "Then vs Now"
- Action verb: "How teams are adapting"
- Time-based: "The rise of [trend] since 2020"

Caption writing:

| Element | Max Length | Purpose | | ------------ | ----------- | --------------------- | | Section head | 5-7 words | Introduce the insight | | Stat label | 2-4 words | Name what's measured | | Caption | 10-15 words | Explain significance | | Source note | N/A | Credit data origin |

Step 6: Infographic Types

Type selection:

| Type | Best For | Structure | | ----------- | ------------------- | --------------------------- | | Statistical | Data-heavy research | Hero stat + supporting data | | Timeline | History, evolution | Chronological events | | Process | How-to, steps | Sequential flow | | Comparison | Versus, pros/cons | Two columns | | Geographic | Regional data | Map-based | | List | Tips, facts | Numbered or bulleted | | Anatomical | Breakdown, parts | Labeled diagram | | Flowchart | Decisions, paths | Branching structure |

Format dimensions:

| Platform | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | | ------------ | ------------------ | --------------- | | Pinterest | 1000 x 1500px | 2:3 vertical | | Blog/article | 800 x 2000px | Long vertical | | Social share | 1200 x 1200px | Square | | Presentation | 1920 x 1080px | 16:9 landscape | | Print | 8.5 x 11" (300dpi) | Letter vertical |

Step 7: Data Visualization Best Practices

Do's and don'ts:

| Do | Don't | | ------------------------------ | --------------------------- | | Start bar charts at zero | Truncate axes to exaggerate | | Use consistent colors | Rainbow every section | | Label directly on chart | Rely only on legends | | Round numbers (73%, not 72.8%) | Use false precision | | Show data source | Present unsourced claims | | Use white space | Crowd every element |

Color usage:

| Purpose | Approach | | ----------------- | ------------------------------- | | Highlight | Use accent color for key stat | | Categories | Distinct but harmonious palette | | Comparison | Two contrasting colors | | Sequential | Light to dark gradient | | Positive/negative | Green/red or blue/orange |

Accessibility:

| Requirement | Implementation | | ---------------- | -------------------------- | | Color blind safe | Use patterns + colors | | Text contrast | 4.5:1 minimum ratio | | Font size | Minimum 12pt for body | | Alt text | Describe data and insights |

Step 8: Design Brief Template

Brief for designer:

## Infographic Design Brief

### Overview

**Title:** [Infographic title]
**Topic:** [Subject matter]
**Goal:** [What action should viewers take]
**Audience:** [Who this is for]
**Dimensions:** [Size and orientation]
**Brand:** [Style guide or brand to follow]

### Content Hierarchy

#### Header

- Title: "[Headline]"
- Subtitle: "[Subtitle]"

#### Hero Section

- Big number: [XX%]
- Context: "[One-sentence explanation]"
- Visual: [Icon/illustration suggestion]

#### Section 1: [Title]

- Stat: [XX]
- Chart type: [Recommended chart]
- Data: [Values to visualize]
- Caption: "[Explanation]"

#### Section 2: [Title]

[Repeat format]

#### Section 3: [Title]

[Repeat format]

#### Footer

- CTA: "[Action text]"
- CTA link: [URL]
- Source: "[Data source with date]"
- Logo: [Brand logo placement]

### Visual Notes

- Color palette: [Hex codes or brand colors]
- Style: [Modern/playful/corporate/minimal]
- Icons: [Style preference]
- Avoid: [Any restrictions]

### Files Needed

- [ ] Web version (PNG)
- [ ] Social version (1:1)
- [ ] Print version (PDF)
- [ ] Editable source file

Step 9: Social Media Versions

Platform adaptations:

## Social Snippets

### Instagram/LinkedIn (1080x1080)

**Headline:** [Shortened title]
**Hero stat:** [Big number]
**2-3 supporting stats:** [Key points]
**CTA:** "Full infographic in bio" / "See more →"

### Twitter/X (1200x675)

**Headline:** [Shortened title]
**1-2 key stats:** [Most shareable]
**Visual:** Cropped hero section

### Pinterest (1000x1500)

**Use full infographic** or top half with
"Pin for later" messaging

### Stories (1080x1920)

**Split into slides:**

1. Hook/title
2. Hero stat
3. Section 1
4. Section 2
5. CTA

Step 10: Source Citation

Citation format:

## Data Sources

**Primary source:**
[Organization Name], "[Report/Study Title]," [Year].
[URL]

**Additional sources:**

- [Source 2 with link]
- [Source 3 with link]

**Data collection:**
[Brief methodology if relevant]

Citation placement:

| Location | Format | | -------------- | -------------------------------- | | Footer | "Source: [Organization], [Year]" | | Per-stat | Superscript number with footnote | | Separate panel | "Data sources" section |

Output Format

# Infographic Summary: [Title]

## Overview

**Topic:** [Subject]
**Data sources:** [Count] sources
**Target audience:** [Who]
**Format:** [Type and dimensions]

---

## Headline

**Title:** [Main headline]
**Subtitle:** [Supporting context]

---

## Hero Statistic

**Number:** [XX%]
**Label:** [What it measures]
**Context:** [Why it matters]
**Visual suggestion:** [Chart/icon type]

---

## Supporting Sections

### Section 1: [Theme]

**Stat:** [Number]
**Chart type:** [Recommendation]
**Data points:** [Values]
**Caption:** [Explanation]

### Section 2: [Theme]

[Repeat format]

### Section 3: [Theme]

[Repeat format]

---

## Call-to-Action

**Text:** [CTA copy]
**Link:** [URL]

---

## Sources

[Full citations]

---

## Design Brief

[Complete brief for designer]

---

## Social Adaptations

[Platform-specific versions]

Validation

Before completing:

• [ ] Hero stat is compelling and accurate
• [ ] All statistics have sources
• [ ] Numbers are rounded appropriately
• [ ] Chart types match data types
• [ ] Visual hierarchy is clear
• [ ] Copy is concise (under word limits)
• [ ] CTA is included
• [ ] Accessibility considered
• [ ] Multiple format sizes provided

Error Handling

• No clear data: Ask for specific statistics, survey results, or research to work from.
• Data too complex: Simplify to 3-5 key insights; suggest detailed report for rest.
• No source provided: Request original source; note if data is unverified.
• Conflicting data: Present most recent or most credible source; note discrepancy.
• Data not visual: Recommend list-style infographic or icon-based representation.

Resources

• Canva Infographic Maker - Free design templates
• Piktochart - Infographic creator
• Venngage - Business infographic tool
• Data Wrapper - Chart creation
• Coolors - Color palette generator