Infographics as a special form of messaging

Abstract

This article focuses on infographics as a striking, fashionable and, one might say, exciting phenomenon, which seems always new, yet has been living with us since the beginning of our culture. As information, its processing and management according to various aspects has always been the main subject of libraries’ activities, libraries must embrace all phenomena that can be considered for any reason as revolutionary and may serve development. How useful can infographics be for libraries? What can they use it for during their various activities? Infographics as a universal word is in itself revealing: it circumscribes a specific form of communication. It expresses that infographics intends to depict its subject in a multi-purpose way: it is often used as a visual representation of abstract content that is invisible to the eye. Its central element is illustration for informative purposes. The article provides a concise overview of the components of infographics, its most characteristic features and the conditions for success. It describes the main aspects of the typology of infographics, the purposes for which they are used and the most important steps in creating infographics. Finally, it discusses the link between the library sphere and infographics and their interlinked future.