Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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35
Infographics in News presentation: A Study of its Effective
Use in Times of India and Indian Express the Two Leading
Newspapers in India
Rajeev Ghode, Research Scholar, Department of Communication Studies, Pune University, Pune (India)
ABSTRACT
Infographics is representation of data and information using graphics. Effective use of Infographics attracts the
attention of users and explains complex information quickly and clearly. There are ample software applications and
tools available to create attractive and informative info graphics. Infographics are widely used in educational
content, web site portals, News Channels and Newspapers. Indian Newspapers also use various Infographics
primarily to present statistical data using charts, diagrams, graphs, tables, maps, lists etc. Newspapers too, need to
implement various strategies and experiments to stand in growing media channels and new media age. All the
major newspapers also started e-newspapers editions. The new media users want to consume much more
information within very short time and here Infographics play a major role. The same Infographics can be used on
both the medium. Because of this, many Indian newspapers recently started wide use of Info graphics to represent
not only data but news and information content also. Infographics in real sense is an example of media convergence
and widely used in print medium, web sites, television, mobiles and iPods with the same intensity.
Times of India and Indian Express are two leading newspapers among top newspapers in India. They have their
existence in print and web editions along with television news channels. This study explores various parameters like
importance, visual design, instructional approach, space and sections allotted, to use of Infographics with
quantitative parameter like numbers of info graphics used in every edition in last six months.
Key word: Info-graphics, Newspapers, Media Convergence, New Media
Representation of news and
information in visual form
The use of computerized design software
and digitization hardware like scanners,
digital cameras have really changed the
overall design and quality of newspapers
across word. In this fast information age,
there is equal importance of presenting and
designing of information to the readers. As
the technology evolve it have shown same
evolution in newspaper design. It shows, the
newspaper design and presentation also
changes as per the time and technology.
Because of ample software and skilled
graphics professionals, there is effective use
of not only photographs and
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pictures in newspapers but also significant
use of infographics in newspaper design.
There is transformation of design revolution
in Newspaper desin with the emergence of
color in the mid-1970s and the advent of
informational graphics (i.e. chart, maps,
tables, diagrams which explain worded
information visually) in the 1980s (Shepard
1996).
Information graphics or infographics are
graphic
visual
representations
of
information, data or knowledge. These
graphics present complex information
quickly and clearly (Jenkins, Henry 2006).
Blue Ocean Research Journals
35
Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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36
Infographics are widely used in print media,
hoardings, advertising, education,
University of Lund (Sweden), presented in
the new edition of Malofiej, showed that
publications and even in corporate
collaterals. In newspapers, infographics are
commonly used to show the weather, as well
as maps and site plans for newsworthy
events, and graphs for statistical data.
As the printed newspaper approaches the
21st Century, the increased use of charts,
maps and other graphic devices continues to
affect both its appearance and means of
telling the story. The recent design
revolution, which has brought modular
design, informational graphics and increased
color, has made today's newspaper more
attractive, more navigable and easier to
comprehend than ever before (Utt and
Pasternack 2000). About 90 percent of
graphics editors in a 1993 study said that the
primary role of graphics was to supplement
textual material. At the same time, nearly all
said informational graphics made the
newspaper easier to understand and more
attractive. 1991 the “Poynter Institute”, one
of the most important center for training
journalists in the United States, has
conducted a study called "Eyetrack" that
analyzes and records the way that readers
see and navigate through the pages of
newspaper, identifying entry points to the
page and which elements attract attention
and motivate them to read the text of the
information.
The results were very favorable for
infography, the main findings of the
research stated that 77% enter to the page
visually because of the infographics, 61%
because of the photography and 36%
because of the headline. 87% of readers who
see an infographic read the text and 41%
read the text because of the headline.
Infography is the genre that catches a reader
on the page longer than others. Scientific
studies as the one developed by the
infography is the genre that catches readers
on the page more time than the others.
Because of its nature and its features, the
infographics attract the curiosity of readers,
who understand well the visual and
extremely fragmented language
Visual titles and infographics in the
newsroom which have evolved as a result of
the convergence of online and print news are
Visual Editor, Visual Journalist, and Web
Director depending on “which skills are
used to manage visuals” (Zavoina and
Reichert 2000).
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Components of Info graphics
With the use of various components in
combination, a well defined Infographics
can be designed which can be simple to
understand and influential to attract readers.
Charts, flowcharts, diagrams, maps, mind
maps, signs, typographic text are commonly
used in designing infographics. Graphics can
be defined as translations of numbers in the
form of a drawing, design or plan to explain
or illustrate something, Paul Lewi (2006). A
chart is a graphical representation of data, in
which "the data is represented by symbols,
such as bars in a bar chart, lines in a line
chart, or slices in a pie chart". A flowchart is
a type of diagram that represents an
algorithm or process, showing the steps as
boxes of various kinds, and their order by
connecting these with arrows. This
diagrammatic representation can give a stepby-step solution to a given problem.
Histogram is a graphical representation,
showing a visual impression of the
distribution of data. A graphic (such as a
chart or diagram) depicting the relationship
between two or more variables used, for
instance, in visualizing scientific data. A
map is a visual representation of an area —
Blue Ocean Research Journals
36
Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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37
a
symbolic
depiction
highlighting
relationships between elements of that space
such as objects, regions, and themes. A
diagram is a two-dimensional geometric
symbolic representation of information
representation of cultural and natural
features on the ground. Contour lines are
often given specific names beginning "iso"
meaning 'equal' according to the nature of
the variable being mapped. Isotherm - a type
of contour line that connects points of equal
temperature at a given date or time on a
geographic map. Isobar is a line connecting
points of equal atmospheric pressure. A
mind map is a diagram used to represent
words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to
and arranged around a central key word or
idea. Signage systems are visually oriented
information systems, consisting of signs,
maps, arrows, color coding systems,
pictograms and different typographic
elements.
Defined Levels of Info graphics
Level#1: In this level, the elements used to
design are mostly photographs along with
statistical data (represented in tables) and or
short information designed artistically to
summarize the news or article. Figure 1
represents sample level#1 infographics.
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according to some visualization technique. It
is a graphical tool for organizing and
representing knowledge. A topographic map
is a detailed and accurate graphic
Level#2: Element of Level#1 with
additional conceptual diagrams, visual
representations
like
charts,
maps,
typography, symbolic interpretations etc.
Figure 2 represents sample level#2
infographics.
Level#3: Elements of Level#1 and Level#3
with wider approach of information design,
detail conceptual thoughts represented with
graphics and textual information and
optimized use of visual components with
well defined instructions techniques which
help readers to understand and visualize the
news or information. Figure 3 represents
sample level#3 infographics.
Blue Ocean Research Journals
37
Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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38
Figure 2. Example of level#2 infographics
Figure 3. Example of level#3 infographics
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Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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With the study of last 6 month’s issues from
1st February 2011 to 31st July 2011, on how
Times of India (TOI) and Indian Express
(IE), the two leading newspaper in India are
represented infographics for various sections
Month
February
March
April
May
June
July
Total
Level1
98
59
59
90
100
96
502
39
in the newspaper. Table 1 depicts level wise
numbers of Infographics used in IE, where
as Table 2 shows level wise numbers of
Infographics used in TOI.
Level2
10
9
8
17
6
5
55
Level3
0
3
2
0
0
1
6
Total
108
71
69
107
106
102
563
Table 1. Level wise numbers of Infographics used in IE from 1st Feb to 31st July 2011
Month
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Total
Level1
159
136
133
169
122
149
868
Level2
10
11
10
23
7
9
70
Level3
0
5
2
5
1
0
13
Total
169
152
145
197
130
158
951
Table 2. Level wise numbers of Infographics used in TOI from 1st Feb to 31st July 2011
The study also focused on how many
infographics are used in covering Headline,
News and other sections like Article,
Business Section and Sports. Table 3
Month
February
March
April
May
June
July
Total
Headlines
03
00
02
06
10
08
29
News
14
12
13
32
20
19
110
represents section wise numbers of
Infographics used in IE and Table 4 shows
section wise numbers of Infographics used
in TOI
Articles
43
41
39
34
40
43
240
Business
29
14
12
23
27
25
130
Sports
19
04
03
12
09
07
54
Total
108
71
69
107
106
102
563
Table 3. Section wise numbers of Infographics used in IE from 1st Feb to 31st July 2011
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Blue Ocean Research Journals
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Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
_________________________________________________________________________________
Month
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Total
Headlines
18
19
21
25
25
22
130
News
42
42
55
64
39
60
302
Articles
32
34
32
40
23
30
191
Business
44
25
28
41
35
39
212
Sports
33
32
09
27
08
07
116
40
Total
169
152
145
197
130
158
951
Table 4. Section wise numbers of Infographics used in TOI from 1st Feb to 31st July 2011
After analyzing the data from Table
2, the Figure 4 shows that IE use maximum
numbers of infographics to represent
‘Articles’. There is stable numbers of usage
of infographics for article, every month.
There is no significant increase or decrease
in the numbers. The least focus has given for
‘Headlines’ and ‘Sports’. There is growth in
‘News’ infographics from May, but it is not
significant.
IE: Monthwise Distribution of Infographics
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Headlines
News
Articles
Business
Sports
February
March
April
May
June
July
Figure 4. Month wise and section wise Distribution of Infographics in IE
Figure 5 shows that maximum
numbers of infographics are used to present
‘News’. Use of Infographics in ‘Headline’ is
also remarkable and steady for all the
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months. ‘Articles’ and ‘Sports’ sections are
also well in numbers and are steady. The
numbers are decreased for ‘Sport’ in the
month of April, June and July.
Blue Ocean Research Journals
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Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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41
TOI: Monthwise Distribution of Infographics
70
60
50
Headlines
40
News
30
Articles
20
Business
10
Sports
0
February
March
April
May
June
July
Figure 5. Month wise and section wise Distribution of Infographics in TOI
When compared IE with TOI, there is
almost double numbers of Infographics used
in TOI in comparison with IE. As shown in
Figure 6, there are total 868 Level#1
infographics used in TOI where as 502
infographics are used in IE. There are 70
Level#2 infographics are used in TOI and
55 in IE. There are total 13 level#3
infographics used in TOI where as only 6
infographics are used in IE.
Level wise comparison between IE and TOI
IE
TOI
868
502
70
55
Level # 1
13
6
Level # 2
Level # 3
Figure 6. Level wise comparison between IE and TOI
When section wise compared between IE
and TOI as shown in Figure 7, there are 29
infographics are used in IE, whereas 130
infographics are used in TOI to present
headlines which is almost four times high as
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compared to IE. Similarly 110 infographics
are used in IE, whereas 302 infographics are
used in TOI to present news content, which
is almost three times high as compared to
IE. he use of infographics in ‘Article’
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Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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section is higher in IE which is 240, as
compared to TOI which is 191. Infographics
used in ‘Business’ and ‘Sports’ sections are
42
also significantly high in TOI, when
compared with IE.
Section wise comparison between two IE and TOI
IE
TOI
302
240
212
191
130
130
110
54
29
Headlines
116
News
Articles
Business
Sports
Figure 7. Section wise comparison between IE and TOI
Conclusion
Times of India are using significantly higher
numbers of infographics of all three levels
than Indian Express. Use of Infographics in
‘Headlines’ are almost 4 times higher in TOI
as with IE. Infographics used in TOI is
almost thrice compared to IE. ‘Article’
section is well explained in IE as compared
to TOI. Leve#2 infographics are also equally
well represented in IE and TOI. Level#3
infographics in TOI is also double in
numbers when compared with IE.
Overall, TOI has effectively used all levels
of infographics over IE. The quality of
infographics is also appreciable in TOI in
comparison with IE.
References
[1] Shepard, A. (1996, December). Designer
papers. (Cover story). American Journalism
Review
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[2] Jenkins, Henry (2006) Convergence Culture,
New York University Press, New York.
[3] Utt, S., & Pasternack, S. (2000, Spring).
Update on infographics in American
newspapers.
[4] Zavoina, S., & Reichert, T. (2000). Media
Convergence/Management Change: The
[5] Evolving Workflow for Visual Journalists.
Journal of Media Economics
[6] Paul Lewi (2006). "Speaking of Graphics".
[7] Centre for Topographic Information, Topo
Maps: Frequently Asked Questions
[8] Online communities' impact on the
profession of newspaper design By Amanda
Miller, West Virginia University – Google
Book http://books.google.co.in/books?id=JHv5mS
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w.borjournals.comUtt+and+Pasternack+200
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wLraNkWzzG0xTkK2Gn030_gGvw&hl=en&ei=zNsTsLfB4nUrQe8nOSyAw&sa=X&oi=bo
ok_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC8
Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%28Utt%20and
%20Pasternack%202000%29&f=false
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Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR)
ISSN No: 2319-5614
Volume 1, No.1, October 2012
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[9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_gra
phics
[10]
epaper.timesofindia.com
[11]
epaper.indianexpress.com
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