Abstract
Geographic infographics are increasingly utilized across various domains to convey spatially relevant information effectively. However, creating these infographics typically requires substantial expertise in design and visualization, as well as proficiency with specialized tools, which can deter many potential creators. To address this barrier, our research analyzed and categorized 118 geographic infographics and sketches designed by 8 experienced visualization practitioners, leading to the development of a structured design space encompassing four critical dimensions: basic map representations, encoding channels, label design and placement, and highlighting techniques. Based on this design space, we developed a web-based authoring tool that allows users to explore and apply these design choices interactively. The tool’s effectiveness was evaluated through a user study involving 12 participants without prior design experience. Participants were first required manually to create geographic infographics using provided datasets, then utilize our authoring tool to recreate and refine their initial drafts. We also conducted pre- and post-use assessments of the participants’ knowledge of geographic infographic design. The findings revealed significant improvements in understanding and applying information encoding channels, highlighting techniques, and label design and placement strategies. These results demonstrate the tool’s dual capacity to assist users in creating geographics while educating them on key visualization strategies. Our tool, therefore, empowers a broader audience, including those with limited design and visualization backgrounds, to effectively create and utilize geo-infographics.
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This work was supported in part by a grant from RDF-22-01-092.
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Appendices
Appendix A: Complementary user interfaces
1.1 ABOUT interface
Figure 9 shows the interface of ABOUT.
About interface
Appendix B: Collected geo-infographics created by users
Figures 10 and 11 show the geo-infographics created by users.
Geo-infographics created by users
Geo-infographics created by users
Appendix C: User study questionnaire
1.1 Demographic background
Here are the contents of the demographic background questionnaire in the pre-questionnaire, consisting of six short answer questions and a multiple choice question.
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Question 1: Age.
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Question 2: Gender
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Question 3: Filed of Study or Profession.
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Question 4: Have you had any experience with data visualization?
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Question 5 (multiple choice question): Which of the following tools have you used for data visualization?
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Microsoft Excel
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Tableau
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Google Charts
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D3.js
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R (ggplot2, Plotly)
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Python (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly)
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Figma
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Other
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Question 6: Have you had any experience with geo-infographics or interactive maps websites?
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Question 7: Self-assessment of confidence level in design geo-infographic.
1.2 Geo-infographics designing knowledge
Here are the contents of the geo-infographics designing knowledge assessment in the pre- and post-questionnaire, consisting of eight short answer questions.
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Question 1: What encoding channels come to your mind for representing population data?
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Question 2: What encoding channels come to your mind for representing country information data?
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Question 3: Based on population data, which encoding channels do you think can be effectively combined for dual encoding?
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Question 4: Trying to add annotation in geo-infographic, what placement or match method can you think of?
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Question 5: What methods can you think of for highlighting within a geo-infographic?
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Question 6: Which encoding channels within the design space do you think are appropriate for population data?
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Question 7: Which encoding channels within the design space do you think are appropriate for country information data?
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Question 8: Which encoding channels within the design space do you think can be effectively combined for dual encoding based on population data?
1.3 Interview
Here are the questions in the interview.
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Question 1: What tool features are particularly useful for you to complete tasks? Please explain the reason.
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Question 2: What difficulties or challenges did you encounter while using MapCraft?
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Question 3: Do you think it is reasonable to categorize visual elements into basic map representations, encoding channels, label design and placement, and highlighting techniques? Is it easy to understand? Has it caused you any trouble?
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Question 4: Do you plan to continue using this tool in future projects? Why or why not? What factors will influence your decision?
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Zhang, X., Xu, Y., Li, K. et al. ChinaVis24.MapCraft: dissecting and designing custom geo-infographics. J Vis 28, 837–857 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-025-01059-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-025-01059-4