Why we are including this example

Sometimes students need ideas and tools for creating infographics, graphics, or other interactives. This page explains ways for creating interactives, then provides a list of tools to assist them.

Creating Interactives

Below you'll find tabs with information on how to create various creative interactives which you will have the opportunity to use in this course. The instructions include examples and tutorials of how to make these interactives.

You can use whatever program you prefer, but keep in mind as a UVU student you have access to a variety of Adobe Creative Cloud Products. If you would like to use Adobe to create any of these interactives, there is a tab with a few Adobe tutorial videos. You'll also find a tab with tips for graphic design. These tips apply to any design you make.

Infographic

WHAT is an Infographic?

In the most basic language, an infographic puts information into a picture. You've probably seen diagrams like this:

examples of infographics from venn diagrams to other charts that show information

HOW Can I Build This?

You can use different programs to build diagrams like this. Here are some programs you could use:

LucidChart
Canva
Piktochart
Vengage

You can even create a graphic like a mind map or an infographic in slideshow software like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides. See the video below for an example of this.

How to Create an Infographic Using Canva (05:19)

Mind Map

WHAT is a Mind Map?

A mind map, sometimes called a concept map, is another type of diagram. Usually a mind map consists of a central idea or theme that goes in the middle of the map. Then concepts and ideas that connect to the main theme or idea in the center are placed around the central idea. This is a type of infographic, but the information is more like a brainstorm of your own ideas and perceptions rather than conveying factual information. Like this:

Mind Map example

HOW Can I Build This?

You can use different programs to build diagrams like this. Here are some programs to create an infographic:

You can even create a graphic like a mind map or an infographic in slideshow software like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides. See the video below for an example of this.

How to Make a Mind Map diagram in Microsoft Office PowerPoint (13:25)

Venn Diagram

WHAT is a Venn Diagram?

A Venn Diagram is an illustration that shows the relationship between two or more things. A simple Venn Diagram is usually drawn with two circles that overlap. Each circle represents a distinct concept. Inside the circles, you add characteristics about each concept. If there's a characteristic that applies to both concepts, you can put it in the middle where the circles overlap. You can also use a Venn Diagram to show that a concept has multiple components. Each component is a circle and they all make up the overall concept which can be put in the middle where all the circles overlap. Here is an example:

HOW Can I Build This?

Here is a video that shows you how you can build a Venn Diagram in PowerPoint (08:57)

Collage

WHAT is a Collage?

A collage is a group of pictures; it is a good choice for when your assignment can best be displayed with images.

HOW Can I Build This?

If you want to make the collage on a computer, you can use a variety of different programs. You could simply insert the pictures into a document (word processing or slideshow software) or you can add elements that can make your design better and add captions. Here are some videos to help:

How to Make a Collage on Microsoft Word (01:01)

How to Move and Align Images in Word (04:01)

Using Adobe

WHAT is Adobe?

Adobe is a company that makes software to help you design and build things on your computer. As a UVU student, you have access to many Adobe Products.

Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe XD, Premiere Pro, Premiere Rush, After Effects, Dimension, Acrobat DC, Dreamweaver, Animate, Audition, Lightroom Classic, Character Animator, Spark, Bridge, Media Encoder, Muse, InCopy, Prelude, and Fuse.

You can search for tutorials of how to use these programs, but here are a few to get you started:

Adobe Photoshop for Beginners (16:13)

Adobe Illustrator for Beginners (09:42)

Graphic Design Tips

Graphic Design Tips

If you're not a designer and you struggle coming up ideas and creating designs, here are some resources that you might find helpful: