infographic

Infographic Design

Create compelling data visualizations and infographics. Transform numbers, processes, and comparisons into visually engaging graphics.

Choosing the path: chart geometry and numbers generated by Gemini are illustrative, not accurate -- bar heights won't match data and digits get garbled. Use HTML/CSS/SVG whenever the graphic plots real data or has more than ~8 short text labels. Use Gemini for illustrated, low-text pieces (icons, scenes, a few big stats), or generate illustrations with Gemini and lay out data in code around them.

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Step 1: Load Design Context

1. Read .agents/design-context.md first -- brand colors (hex), fonts, style archetype
2. If missing, use the design-context Default Fallbacks and tell the user defaults were used
3. Infographics rely heavily on a consistent color system for data categories

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Gemini Image Generation Path

Pipeline/CLI: image-generation. Prompt craft, cropping, and text-overlay fallback: graphic-design Step 3.

1. Ratios: 2:3 or 9:16 for vertical (Pinterest-style), 1:4 for long-form scroll, 4:5 or 1:1 for feeds, 16:9 for slides. Use --size 2K or 4K -- tall ratios make text tiny
2. Quote every number and label exactly; keep to ~8 short labels. Split long infographics into sections generated separately and stacked in code
3. Read the output PNG and check every number, label, and unit against the source data. Any mismatch is a defect: fix it in a follow-up turn or move that text to a code overlay

Example Prompts

• Statistics Infographic: "Create an infographic showing [topic] statistics. [number] key metrics displayed as large numbers with icons. [color palette] color scheme. Clean grid layout with section headers. Professional, data-driven design."
• Process Flow: "Create a process flow infographic for [process name]. [number] steps connected by arrows. Each step has an icon, title, and one-line description. [color] gradient progression from start to finish. Vertical layout, modern style."
• Timeline: "Create a timeline infographic for [subject]. [number] milestones from [start year] to [end year]. Alternating left-right layout along a vertical line. [color palette]. Key dates and brief descriptions at each point."

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Step 2: Identify Infographic Type

Type	Best For	Layout
Process Flow	Step-by-step procedures	Horizontal or vertical chain
Comparison	Two or more options	Columns or split layout
Statistics	Key numbers and metrics	Grid of stat cards
Timeline	Chronological events	Vertical or horizontal line
List / Ranking	Top N items	Numbered vertical list
Data Chart	Quantitative data	Bar, pie, line via SVG
Icon Grid	Category overview	Grid of icon + label pairs

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Step 3: Color Coding System

Assign colors systematically. Never use random colors for data categories.

Palette Types

/* Sequential (ordered data) */
:root { --data-1: #EFF6FF; --data-2: #BFDBFE; --data-3: #60A5FA; --data-4: #2563EB; --data-5: #1E40AF; }

/* Categorical (distinct categories) */
:root { --cat-a: #6366F1; --cat-b: #EC4899; --cat-c: #F59E0B; --cat-d: #10B981; --cat-e: #8B5CF6; --cat-f: #EF4444; }

/* Diverging (positive/negative) */
:root { --neg-strong: #EF4444; --neg-light: #FCA5A5; --neutral: #E5E7EB; --pos-light: #86EFAC; --pos-strong: #22C55E; }

Color Rules

• Use brand primary for the most important data point
• Use neutrals (gray scale) for context/baseline data
• Chart marks (bars, lines, slices) need 3:1 contrast against the background and adjacent marks (WCAG 1.4.11). Light palette steps (e.g. --data-1, --cat-c amber) fail on white -- add a darker outline or use them only on dark backgrounds
• Text needs 4.5:1 (3:1 if >=24px or >=18.66px bold)
• Never rely on color alone: label series directly or add patterns/icons (WCAG 1.4.1)
• Maximum 6 distinct colors in a single chart

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Step 4: Process Flow Diagrams

Horizontal Process Flow

.process-flow { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0; padding: 40px; }
.step { flex: 1; text-align: center; position: relative; padding: 0 20px; }
.step-icon {
  width: 48px; height: 48px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--primary);
  color: #fff; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0 auto 16px; position: relative; z-index: 2;
}
.step-connector {
  position: absolute; top: 24px; left: calc(50% + 24px); right: calc(-50% + 24px);
  height: 2px; background: var(--primary); opacity: 0.3; z-index: 1;
}
.step:last-child .step-connector { display: none; }

Vertical Process Flow

Use flex-direction: column with a ::before pseudo-element as the connecting line (absolute positioned left of items).

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Step 5: Comparison Charts

Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

.comparison-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; }
.comparison-table thead th { padding: 20px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; border-bottom: 2px solid #E5E7EB; }
.comparison-table thead th.highlighted { background: var(--primary); color: #fff; border-radius: 12px 12px 0 0; }
.comparison-table td { padding: 14px 20px; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #F3F4F6; font-size: 14px; }
.check { color: #15803D; } .cross { color: #6B7280; } /* >=3:1 on white; pair with ✓/✗ glyphs, not color alone */

Versus Comparison

Use a three-column grid: grid-template-columns: 1fr auto 1fr with a large "VS" element centered between two option cards.

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Step 6: Statistics and Number Highlights

Big Number Card

.stat-card { text-align: center; padding: 32px; border-radius: 16px; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); }
.stat-number {
  font-size: 56px; font-weight: 800;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--accent));
  -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-clip: text;
  line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.stat-label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; color: #9CA3AF; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.05em; }

Progress Indicators

/* Percentage bar */
.percent-bar { height: 8px; background: #E5E7EB; border-radius: 4px; overflow: hidden; }
.percent-bar .fill { height: 100%; background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--primary), var(--accent)); border-radius: 4px; animation: fillBar 1.5s ease-out; }
@keyframes fillBar { from { width: 0; } }

/* Circular progress - conic-gradient; set a unitless --progress, e.g. style="--progress: 72" */
.circle-progress {
  width: 120px; height: 120px; border-radius: 50%;
  background: conic-gradient(var(--primary) 0deg, var(--primary) calc(var(--progress) * 3.6deg), #E5E7EB calc(var(--progress) * 3.6deg));
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
}

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Step 7: Timeline Infographics

Vertical Timeline

.timeline { position: relative; padding: 20px 0; max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; }
.timeline::before {
  content: ''; position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent, var(--primary), var(--primary), transparent);
  transform: translateX(-50%);
}
.timeline-item { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 40px; position: relative; }
.timeline-item:nth-child(odd) { padding-right: calc(50% + 30px); text-align: right; }
.timeline-item:nth-child(even) { flex-direction: row-reverse; padding-left: calc(50% + 30px); text-align: left; }
.timeline-dot {
  position: absolute; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);
  width: 16px; height: 16px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--primary);
  border: 3px solid var(--bg-color); z-index: 2;
}
.timeline-content { padding: 16px 20px; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); }

Horizontal Timeline

Use display: flex with a ::before horizontal line. Each item has a dot and content below.

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Step 8: SVG-Based Charts

Bar Chart

Use <rect> elements positioned on a y-axis baseline. Add <animate> for entrance animation on height/y attributes. Include <text> for axis labels and <line> for gridlines.

Donut Chart

Use <circle> elements with stroke-dasharray and stroke-dashoffset to create segments. Transform with rotate(-90) to start from top. Add center <text> for the key metric.

Line Chart

Use <polyline> for the data line, <path> with fill for the area beneath, and <circle> elements for data points. Add a <linearGradient> for the area fill.

Key pattern for all SVG charts:

<svg viewBox="0 0 400 250" width="400" height="250" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  <!-- Grid lines, axes, labels -->
  <!-- Data elements with optional <animate> -->
  <!-- Gradient definitions in <defs> -->
</svg>

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Step 9: Icon-Driven Data Points

Icon + Stat Layout

.icon-stats { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(200px, 1fr)); gap: 32px; padding: 40px; }
.icon-stat { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 16px; }
.icon-stat .icon-circle {
  width: 48px; height: 48px; border-radius: 12px;
  background: rgba(var(--primary-rgb), 0.1); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; flex-shrink: 0;
}
.icon-stat .value { font-size: 28px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4px; }
.icon-stat .label { font-size: 13px; color: #6B7280; }

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Step 10: Infographic Layout Templates

Long-Form Vertical

Width: 800px (web) or 1000px (print). Structure: Header > Section 1 > Divider > Section 2 > Divider > Section 3 > Takeaway > Footer. Use 60px spacing between sections.

Dashboard-Style Grid

.info-dashboard { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 20px; padding: 40px; }
.info-dashboard .header { grid-column: 1 / -1; }
.info-dashboard .chart-main { grid-column: 1 / 3; }
.info-dashboard .chart-side { grid-column: 3; }
.info-dashboard .footer { grid-column: 1 / -1; }

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Quality Checklist

• Data is accurately represented (numbers match visuals; bar/slice sizes computed from data, not eyeballed)
• Output PNG (Gemini or rendered code) was Read and every number, label, and unit checked against the source
• Color coding is consistent and meaningful (max 6 colors)
• Clear labels on all data points
• Visual hierarchy guides the reader through the information
• Source attribution included where appropriate
• Brand colors from design-context applied
• SVG charts have a proper viewBox and scale (CSS width: 100%; height: auto when responsive)
• Text and chart marks meet contrast rules; color is not the only encoding
• Animations are subtle and enhance understanding
• Sufficient whitespace between sections