You need to create an infographic for your next presentation. What are the best software options? (2024)

In my experience Canva offers simple and versatile options for designers and content creators of all skill levels. The pro version includes designing with team members, and using new AI capabilities. Since Canva is on the cloud and offers several useful features, any other equivalent products may be worth considering as long as there is simplicity and usability, in my opinion.

Canva is a great tool to use if you have an idea but not the advanced skill to make it happen. They have great templates and premade icons/fonts to choose from to make your idea come to life!

Call me old school… I don’t believe our default should immediately go to technology when going through the creative process. I have always found a whiteboard to be extremely valuable to track ideas and easily relocate concepts. I know you can do these things with a variety of apps and other digital tools, but the physical process of writing out, categorizing, stepping back and having a tangible platform to interact with, has always been my go to… at least to get underway!

Creating effective slides for a presentation is essential. They help guide you. PLEASE, PLEASE do not read your slides - I find, incredibly, that about 80 to 90% of engineers do this. You talk, let your listeners read.When I'm developing slides for a new concept (which I do constantly because I am the leading edge of sewer research), it generally takes me three or four presentations to get the slides and my remarks optimized - I think of new ideas and new ways to present the same information constantly). Then run your presentation without reading your slides. Make notes about what to say if you need to (I don't use notes). Look at your audience to see what they like, and adjust!Do not worry about not knowing the answers to questions!

I'd start by doodling or hand sketching my initial ideas to determine which information should be prioritized. Next, I'd browse through Canva templates to find one that suits my needs or to get inspiration. Finally, I'd customize the chosen template to ensure my infographic aligns with our brand identity.

Canva has proved to be a very great resource. In my current role, as a MBA student I've used Canva for my last 12+ deliverables. It is easy to navigate and provides a lot of information for team collaboration as well.

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Desktop software, like Adobe Illustrator or PowerPoint, gives you more control and features for creating infographics. They allow editing, animations, and different formats. But, they might be a bit harder to learn, cost more, and take up space on your computer. Check if they work well with your computer type (Windows or Mac), and consider regular updates and support. Keep in mind, while desktop tools offer more, online options are simpler and just need a web browser. Think about what fits your needs best!

I have used many different software tools for creating presentations. I noticed the tool I use depends on my audience, what I may have access to at the time, how much time I have to prepare, and my skill level. If you're comfortable with design tools, you can use software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, or even PowerPoint to create your infographic. These offer flexibility and precision, but require some design knowledge. Canva has been the easiest for me, especially with the new AI features. I can also make quick edits through my phone on the go. This is really handy for those last minute tweaks when I’m not at my computer.

In my experience, MS Office 365 works. You can use AI enabled templates for various types of content. In addition, you can export infographics from Excel or Python depending on your needs. If you’re working on more technical projects, R software and Tableau can be pretty handy as well. It all comes down to your specific needs and your client’s requirements.

Use what you’re comfortable with and then try to explore new features or even try a new software out. Maybe it will be your new favorite product? We are never too old to try and learn new things

If you want something quick and easy, Powerpoint for sure, couple it with animations and you got yourself a nice slideshow.If you aim for a more visually appealing detailed content, one that is more elaborate and "professional" looking, it's Illustrator! You can separate the layers to produce animations in PPT, but for a stand alone document it's a great tool!

Canva, by far my favourite, easy to use online tool, also has a mobile app. To be honest, when I came to know about it, I was pretty sceptical about its effeciency, as I had no idea how many people would actually use it on a small screen, but often, I have seen the interns at my own office use it to design easy infographics on the go. Not as effecient as mastering a more profound software, but certainly a handy feature to have.

Canva has a mobile app, and I have used it often. Fusioncharts and Venngage will help to elevate your game. I subscribe to Buffer.com and use it for scheduling posts; that said, they also have a resource section where they feature multiple apps, including Piktochart, Easel.ly, and Animaker. Explore the options, and select the one that works for you and aligns with your goals.

In my experience, Canva is the best platform to create graphics, slides, and infographics for users of all levels. A well-designed mobile app is available that complements the web app nicely.Canva is inexpensive and offers a plethora of well-designed templates and refined functionality. There may be infogram-specific mobile apps that perform better, but I have a tool I know that does the job.I’ve logged hundreds of hours using the more advanced tools from Adobe. However, they’re overkill in most cases, and a single subscription to Canva serves my needs quite well. Simplicity makes life easier.

I enjoy working with Canva. It is incredibly user-friendly and with Visme because it offers advanced animation options. In the end, having as many tools as possible to create content in any circ*mstance is essential. Each app will have different options; we can always combine elements for our final piece.

For creating infographics on the go via a mobile app, I absolutely agree with using “Canva” or “Piktochart.” Both offer user-friendly interfaces and a variety of templates to help you design visually appealing infographics for your presentation. Canva is not only user friendly but also super convenient to use. You are able to share and work with others even while on the Canva mobile platform.

I harness the wonderful technical skills of my graphic design colleague who has a unique ability to translate my written word and the message I am trying to convey into the most brilliant, concise, good looking and on brand infographic that I can share across a multitude of channels to a cross section of audiences. I leverage support from those around me who have the talent and skills!

Canva, my preferred online tool, stands out for its user-friendly interface and even offers a mobile app. Initially skeptical about its efficiency on smaller screens, I've observed interns in my office efficiently designing quick infographics while on the move. While it may not match the efficiency of mastering more advanced software, it is undoubtedly a convenient feature to have.

I have personally used HTML if I want to create infographics. Due to working in tech and recruiting programmers for the last 15 years, I know people in my network that use tools based on their programming language preference - JavaScript, Python, and R. D3.js is a powerful JavaScript library for creating dynamic, interactive data visualizations in the browser.Matplotlib and Seaborn are Python libraries that are widely used for static data visualization, including creating infographics. Lastly, ggplot2 (R) is a popular R package for creating static and dynamic visualizations, offering a high level of customization.Again, I have only personally used HTML. I grew up on JavaScript but Python is a language many companies look for. R is 3rd.

Use Mindmap to map out your thought processes, then use the template existed in the software to go for the infographic presentation.

For those up for a challenge and aiming for dynamic, interactive infographics, code-based tools such as D3.js, Chart.js, and Google Charts are worth exploring. These tools offer unparalleled flexibility and customization, allowing for truly unique and responsive designs. However, they do require a good grasp of programming, making them more suited for those with coding experience.

If you are not good at designing your own images, then you can use some GenAI-based image tools. The other option that I use is the SVG icons library in PowerPoint to create a sequence diagram. The benefit of those SVG icons is that you can quickly change their colors to your PowerPoint theme, and with minimal effort, they look like a professionally done slide.

Another under-the-radar infographic option is Datawrapper. Particularly, when your infographic has numerous pieces of data, this platform works very well. I have used this service for presenting data in my thesis and in my upcoming book.

Creating effective infographics is more than mastering software; it's about turning intricate information into visually understandable content. Personally, I've found a balance of simplicity and creativity to be most impactful. Tools like Canva offer straightforward interfaces, so you can prioritize content clarity over flashy design.

I have always enjoyed looking back at early Disney Imagineering videos where storyboards are used. It is a bit unconventional from our modern infographics, but it can break our minds away from facts and figures and more about storytelling. The most effective infographics, tell a story that carries a persons eyes and mind through key points of a narrative, and results in a big picture take away of achievement, impact, and mission.

Creating an effective infographic for your next presentation involves choosing the right software that aligns with your design needs and skill level. Adobe Illustrator is widely regarded as a top choice for professionals due to its comprehensive features and flexibility, allowing for intricate designs and precise control over elements. If you prefer a more user-friendly and accessible option, Canva is a web-based tool that offers a variety of templates, graphics, and customization options, making it suitable for individuals with limited design experience