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Ask HN: would you use an API to create attractive infographics?

6 points by antonwinter ↗ HN

16 comments

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t0
Maybe a wysiwyg infographic tool. How would you do this with just an API?
antonwinter
it would start with templates, then a web service that takes json as the data to populate the templates. and outputting a pdf ( or maybe other output types as well ).
sotu25
Yes, I would. Seems it would be particularly useful for content marketers. I'd also like to know how you plan to do this with an API.
antonwinter
predominately via templates. pass in data via json. hopefully it can be made really simple for the coders to use.
coryl
Coders don't make infographics. Graphic designers and marketers do. Infographics are highly customized to their topics and you pretty much need to be an illustrator to make a good one.

I'm confused about how an infographic made through a template would look. Any examples?

rdouble
Infographics are increasingly made by software people like Ben Fry. The NYT has a whole team dedicated to these sorts of graphics.
coryl
I haven't seen his work, but I suppose we should clarify the distinction between infographic and data visualization.
antonwinter
im purely thinking of inforgraphics atm. in my head dv is more on the scientific plotting and charting side, while infographics is more about conveying key metrics in a visually attractive way.
antonwinter
i only have one template at the moment. nothing release worthy, it uses svg for the template. i am building an internal system at the moment and wondered if it is worth trying to make one that is open to others to use
andrewstuart
What is a "content marketer"? How would such a person make use of infographics?
lsiebert
I would if it was free, which probably isn't too helpful. I probably wouldn't if it cost money, unless it was integrated into something else I was using and was super easy to get going.
antonwinter
that makes sense. not that i have anything specific in mind, but i was thinking free for personal use and something cheap for business use
1123581321
No. The reason is that good info-graphics designs coordinate the design of the element to strengthen the message of the element's data, and the overall layout and story to strengthen the message of all the data. I do not think it is possible to programmatically accomplish this, so I would not use the API.
antonwinter
i guess your take is that to be effective, a person has to do the emphasis on the elements that are important, not a program. fair call.
peteforde
No, but I am probably not your target market. Who do you imagine your target market to be?

I urge you to consider that an infographic's job is to provide a compelling narrative that helps the viewer take away a new data-driven truth. Without the story, any machine-driven infographic would just be pointless, no matter how nice it looks.

antonwinter
story line is a compelling element. that is good feedback. i will mull on that one.