Do this, not that: Timeline infographics

Timeline infographics are powerful visual tools that enable the representation of complex information in a clear and concise manner. Whether you want to showcase historical events, project timelines, or any sequence of events, timeline infographics are perfect for presentations, reports, and educational materials. With their ability to engage and inform audiences, infographic timelines have become an essential component of effective data visualization.

With Infogram, it’s easy to create visually appealing timeline infographics that score in interactivity and design. It provides a range of customizable templates, icons, and design options, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to create stunning visual content.

In this article, we’ll delve into the dos and don’ts of creating timeline infographics, focusing on how to maximize the potential of this visual medium and captivate your audience. Whether you’re a student presenting a history project, a professional delivering a business report, or an educator seeking to engage students, these guidelines will help you create effective and visually appealing timeline infographics using Infogram.

Without further ado, let’s explore the best practices for designing timeline infographics and unlock the potential of this visual format!

Click to jump forward:
What are timeline infographics?
Timeline infographic dos
Timeline infographic don’ts
Infographic timeline template
Create impactful timeline infographics with Infogram

What are timeline infographics?

A timeline infographic is a visual representation of events or milestones arranged chronologically along a horizontal or vertical axis. It presents information in a sequential format, allowing viewers to understand the progression of time and the relationships between different events. Timeline infographics are often used to condense complex information into a simplified and visually appealing format, making it easier for audiences to grasp key details at a glance.

Furthermore, a timeline infographic is also a powerful storytelling tool that goes beyond presenting facts and figures. It helps viewers contextualize information and gain a deeper understanding of the historical or chronological significance of events. With its ability to condense complex information into a visually appealing format, a timeline infographic becomes an effective means of communication across various domains, from academia to business to journalism.

Timeline infographic dos

Clearly define your story

Before diving into the design process, it’s crucial to establish the main objective of your timeline infographic. Clearly defining the purpose will help you make informed decisions about the layout, content, and visual elements. Are you aiming to present a historical timeline, a project’s milestones, or a sequence of events? Understanding the narrative you want to convey will guide you in selecting the appropriate template and structuring your infographic effectively.

Once you have identified the objective, it’s time to define a clear narrative that’ll guide the viewer through the sequence of events or milestones you wish to portray. Consider the key points you want to highlight and the story you want to tell. Will it follow a linear timeline, or will it branch out into different paths? By crafting a coherent narrative, you ensure that your timeline infographic not only presents information but also engages and informs your audience effectively.

Choose a suitable layout

When creating a timeline infographic, selecting the right layout is crucial in conveying your content and narrative effectively. Different layouts serve different purposes and can enhance the visual impact of your infographic.

For linear events that progress chronologically, a horizontal timeline is often the most suitable choice. This layout allows viewers to follow a straightforward timeline from left to right, mirroring the natural flow of time. Horizontal timelines work well for historical timelines, project milestones, or any sequential events that have a clear progression.

On the other hand, if your timeline infographic involves hierarchical or branching information, a vertical layout may be more appropriate. Vertical timelines provide a hierarchical structure, allowing viewers to navigate through different levels or branches of events. This layout is particularly useful when showcasing multiple parallel timelines, interrelated events, or different categories within the timeline.

Maintain chronological order

To create a coherent timeline infographic, it’s crucial to arrange the events or milestones in chronological order. This arrangement provides a logical flow of information that helps viewers grasp the progression of time.

Additionally, arranging events in chronological order helps establish a sense of context and continuity. It allows viewers to make connections between different milestones, see how one event leads to another, and gain a deeper understanding of the overall story or sequence being presented.

When designing your timeline infographic, take care to maintain the chronological order consistently throughout. Ensure that the events or milestones are positioned correctly along the timeline, making it easy for viewers to trace the progression of time. This approach facilitates a smoother reading experience and enhances the clarity and effectiveness of your timeline infographic.

Use consistent and appropriate icons 

Icons play a significant role in enhancing the visual impact and communicative power of timeline infographics. They serve as visual cues that help viewers quickly grasp the essence of each event or milestone. When selecting icons for your timeline infographic, choose those that are consistent in style and directly related to the events or milestones being represented.

Consistency in icon style is important to maintain cohesive visual language throughout your infographic. Using icons that share a similar design style creates a harmonious and professional look. Whether you opt for minimalist icons, detailed illustrations, or stylized symbols, ensure that the chosen style remains consistent across all the icons used in your timeline.

Moreover, the icons should have a direct connection to the events or milestones they represent. They should be instantly recognizable and easily associated with the subject matter. For instance, if you’re creating a historical timeline, using icons of famous landmarks, significant objects, or renowned personalities can help viewers quickly identify the event or time period being depicted.

Use engaging visuals

To elevate your timeline infographics, incorporate engaging visuals such as images, videos, GIFs, stickers, and more. These multimedia elements not only provide additional context for your timeline but also make it more visually appealing and captivating for viewers.

Images are a powerful tool to enhance the storytelling aspect of your timeline infographic. They can help bring events to life by showcasing relevant photographs, illustrations, or diagrams that provide a visual representation of the subject matter. Images can evoke emotions, create a sense of authenticity, and add depth to the narrative.

Videos and GIFs offer a dynamic and interactive dimension to your timeline. They can be used to present animated sequences, highlight key moments, or provide a more immersive experience for viewers. Consider incorporating short video clips or animated GIFs that relate to specific events, adding movement and visual interest to your timeline infographic.

Stickers, icons, and other graphic elements can inject personality and style into your timeline. They can be used to visually distinguish different categories, highlight important milestones, or add a touch of creativity. Make sure to experiment with various graphic elements to create a visually cohesive and appealing timeline infographic.

Keep it concise and informative 

When designing your timeline infographic, make sure to prioritize clarity in the textual elements. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or excessive text that can overwhelm and distract viewers from the main content. Instead, opt for concise captions or labels that provide essential information about each event or milestone.

Captions and labels should be clear and to the point. Use concise sentences or phrases that convey the key details or significance of each event. Consider using bullet points or numbered lists to organize information in a structured and easy-to-read format. This approach helps viewers quickly scan and absorb the essential information without feeling overwhelmed.

Use visual hierarchy

In order to create a visually engaging timeline infographic, it’s crucial to employ visual hierarchy techniques that emphasize important events or milestones. Visual hierarchy involves using various design elements, such as font size, color, and position, to guide the viewer’s attention and highlight key information.

One effective way to establish visual hierarchy is by adjusting the font size. Increase the size of the text for significant events or milestones to make them more prominent and easily noticeable. This draws the viewer’s attention and conveys their relative importance within the timeline.

Color can also be used strategically to create a visual hierarchy. Consider using bold or vibrant colors for crucial events or milestones, while using more subdued or muted tones for less significant ones. This contrast in color helps differentiate between different levels of importance and ensures that key events stand out visually.

The positioning of elements on the infographic can also contribute to visual hierarchy. Place important events or milestones in prominent locations, such as the center or at the top, to make them more noticeable. Use alignment and spacing techniques to create a clear visual structure that guides the viewer’s eye along the timeline.

Include a clear call to action

Don’t underestimate the power of a clear call to action (CTA) at the end of your infographic. It’s the bridge between the information you presented and what you want viewers to do next. A well-crafted CTA can be anything from prompting viewers to learn more on a dedicated webpage to encouraging them to follow you on social media. By using strong action verbs, keeping it visually distinct, and placing it strategically, your CTA can transform your infographic from a passive information source into an active engagement tool. This allows you to achieve your goals, whether it’s driving traffic to your website, generating leads, or simply building brand awareness.

Timeline infographic don’ts

Overcrowd the timeline

One common pitfall to avoid when creating a timeline infographic is overcrowding it with too many events or milestones. It’s important to strike a balance and focus on the key points to prevent the infographic from becoming cluttered and overwhelming for viewers.

By selecting only the most relevant and impactful events or milestones, you can ensure that your timeline infographic maintains a clear and concise narrative. Consider the significance of each event and its contribution to the overall story you want to convey. Including too many minor or insignificant details can dilute the impact and make it challenging for viewers to grasp the main message.

Additionally, leave ample space between each event or milestone on the timeline. This spacing provides visual clarity and improves readability. It allows viewers to easily differentiate between individual events and absorb the information without feeling overwhelmed or confused.

Neglect design consistency

Consistency in design is paramount when creating a timeline infographic. It helps establish a cohesive visual language and enhances the overall clarity and understanding of the information presented. To achieve this, maintain consistency in colors, fonts, and overall style throughout the infographic.

Color consistency ensures that your timeline infographic has a harmonious and unified look. Select a color palette that aligns with your branding or desired aesthetic and use it consistently across all elements. Take advantage of Infogram’s themes that’ll ensure a consistent and visually appealing color scheme and typography throughout your design.

On that note, make sure to also maintain consistency in font choices. Select fonts that are easily readable and appropriate for the tone and purpose of your infographic. Use the same font or a complementary pair consistently for headings, captions, labels, and other text elements. 

Overall style consistency is also vital to create a cohesive visual experience. Ensure that the style of icons, illustrations, and other graphic elements remains consistent throughout the infographic. This includes factors such as line thickness, illustration style, shading, or any other visual effects. Consistency in style helps viewers recognize and interpret visual cues consistently, facilitating understanding and engagement.

Overcomplicate the visuals

When designing a timeline infographic, it’s essential to strike a balance between creativity and clarity. While creativity adds visual interest and engagement, avoid using overly complex visuals that may distract or confuse the viewer.

Complex visuals, such as intricate illustrations or elaborate graphic effects, can sometimes overshadow the main content and hinder understanding. Keep in mind that the primary goal of a timeline infographic is to effectively convey information in a clear and concise manner. Therefore, focus on using visuals that enhance the content and contribute to the overall narrative rather than overwhelming or confusing the viewer.

Simplicity can be key to achieving clarity. Opt for clean and straightforward designs that allow the information to take center stage. Utilize visual elements that are easy to interpret and understand, ensuring that they support and reinforce the message without causing unnecessary distractions.

However, this doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity altogether. You can still incorporate creative elements such as visually appealing icons, unique layouts, or tasteful color schemes. The key is to ensure that these creative choices enhance rather than hinder the communication of information.

Forget about mobile-friendly design

In today’s mobile-driven world, it’s crucial to optimize your timeline infographic for different screen sizes. With an increasing number of people accessing content on smartphones and tablets, ensuring that your infographic is readable and properly formatted across various devices is essential.

Begin by designing your timeline infographic with a mobile-first mindset. Consider the limited-screen real estate of mobile devices and prioritize simplicity and clarity. Opt for a responsive design approach that automatically adjusts the layout and formatting based on the screen size.

Regularly test your infographic on different devices to ensure that it displays correctly and maintains readability. Pay attention to the font sizes, icons, and other visual elements to ensure they are not too small or distorted on smaller screens. Evaluate the overall flow and organization of information to ensure it remains coherent and easy to navigate.

Consider the interactivity and functionality of your infographic on mobile devices as well. If your infographic includes interactive elements, such as clickable buttons or swipeable sections, ensure they work seamlessly on touch screens.

By optimizing your timeline infographic for different screen sizes, you ensure that it reaches and engages a wider audience. Mobile optimization enhances the user experience and allows viewers to access and interact with your infographic conveniently, regardless of the device they use.

With Infogram’s mobile-responsive design features, you can easily create timeline infographics that automatically adjust and adapt to different screen sizes. This allows you to create content that others can easily access and interact with on their mobile devices.

Exclude a legend or key

When incorporating icons, symbols, or colors to represent different categories or themes in your timeline infographic, make sure to include a legend or key. The purpose of a legend is to provide clarity and enable viewers to understand the meaning behind the visual elements you’ve used.

A legend serves as a guide, helping viewers decipher the symbols, icons, or colors used in your infographic. It provides a clear explanation of what each visual representation represents, ensuring that viewers can interpret the information accurately. Without a legend, viewers may be left confused or make incorrect assumptions about the meaning behind the visuals.

When creating your legend, make sure it’s easily noticeable and placed in a strategic location within your timeline infographic. Typically, legends are positioned near the top or bottom of the infographic or in a corner where they don’t obstruct the main content. Use clear and concise descriptions or labels that correspond to the visual elements used throughout the infographic.

Additionally, consider using visual cues within the legend itself to reinforce the connection between the descriptions and the visual representations. For example, you can include miniaturized versions of the icons or symbols alongside their corresponding labels. This helps viewers make a direct association between the legend and the visual elements used in the timeline.

Skimp on proofreading

While designing a visually appealing timeline infographic is important, it’s equally as important to prioritize the accuracy of the content. Spelling or grammatical errors can undermine the credibility of your infographic and distract viewers from the main message. Therefore, always take the time to thoroughly proofread your content before finalizing the infographic.

Start by carefully reviewing the text elements within your timeline infographic. Check for any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or typos. Pay close attention to proper noun capitalization, punctuation, and sentence structure. Make sure that the text is grammatically correct and flows smoothly, enhancing the overall readability and understanding of the information.

Consider enlisting the help of a fresh pair of eyes, such as a colleague or a proofreading tool, to catch any errors that you may have missed. Another effective technique is to read the text aloud, as this can help identify awkward phrasing or incorrect grammar.

Proofreading also extends to checking the accuracy of the information presented in your infographic. Ensure that dates, names, facts, and other details are correct and properly cited. 

Remember that your timeline infographic represents your professionalism and attention to detail. It helps you maintain a high standard of accuracy and professionalism, leaving a positive impression on viewers.

Infographic timeline template

When making an infographic, you might be seeking a way to speed up the process or look for guidance in design. Lucky for you, it’s easy to select a pre-designed template and customize it to your preferences while saving time and resources. Templates provide a solid foundation with pre-designed layouts, styles, and elements, allowing you to focus more on content and customization rather than starting from scratch.

On Infogram, infographic timeline templates are fully customizable, allowing you to adjust colors, fonts, icons, and layouts to align with your branding or design vision. With Infogram’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily add, rearrange, and resize elements to create a visually appealing timeline infographic that suits your specific content and narrative. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced designer, Infogram’s infographic timeline templates provide a user-friendly starting point to kickstart your creative journey.

Create impactful timeline infographics with Infogram

Timeline infographics are an effective way to present chronological information in a visually engaging manner. By following the dos and avoiding don’ts discussed in this article, you can create compelling and informative timeline infographics on Infogram. Remember to define a clear narrative, choose an appropriate layout, maintain chronological order, use consistent icons and visuals, optimize for mobile devices, avoid clutter, use visual hierarchy techniques, and proofread your content. With these guidelines, you can design timeline infographics that effectively convey information, captivate your audience, and make a lasting impact. So, go ahead and unleash your creativity, experiment with different designs, and craft timeline infographics that not only tell a story but also visually delight and inform viewers! 

Interested in discovering how Infogram can enhance your team’s work? Join a brief Zoom session with our Infogram representative to explore key features, get answers to your questions, and understand how we can assist. It’s quick, informative, and just like a coffee break chat. Schedule your call now!