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Video Infographic About Pinterest Marketing Demographics

From MDG Advertising: All eyes are on Pinterest, the social network that lets users collect and share images found on the Web by “pinning” them on virtual pinboards. The images span a variety of categories, from fashion, crafts, cooking, décor, fitness, and more. Today, Pinterest is quickly becoming the fastest-growing social media site based on its huge popularity with women, as well as its unlimited potential as a marketing tool for businesses.“Pins” help companies promote their products, develop their brand personalities, drive tremendous referral traffic to their websites, and gain exposure among the Pinterest community.

The video details the social site’s demographics, growth, and potential to drive abundant traffic to company websites. Pinterest is especially popular with the most highly coveted markets—about 60 percent are female and 80 percent are in the 25 to 54 age demographic.

The video goes on to cover the brands, both large and small. These companies reflect the cooking, décor, and crafts interests that are prevalent among the Pinterest audience.

Video Infographic Review

Video Infographic Design: A+

What’s is not to love with this video infographic? The designer/videographer/animator used a great neutral color pallet and added a splash of muted reds and pinks to draw visual interest. The screens and information transition in a whimsical and logical way. Each statistic and graphic is Well though out and leads to the next bit of information. This is so clever and well done I am hopeful for the future of video infographics. Everything works well together include the typeface chose and the illustration style of all the graphics. My only one small grips is the music seems to repeat and therefore I heard a gap of silence, but that is a very small nitpick on an excellent infographic about Pinterest. Well done and color me impressed!

Video Infographic Information: A

The intro provided by MDG explains much of what is contained in this video infographic and you should really watch the whole video (2 minutes and 43 seconds) to take it all in. I watched it twice for fun and once for this review. The information is mostly statistics about Pinterest and why you should use it for your site’s marketing and social media needs. They list popular companies such as Whole Foods, Etsy, West Elm, and Real Simple that use Pinterest as a traffic producer and brand energizer. The demographics are highlighted and they show examples of how the process of pinning works at Pinterest.

Provided by MDG Advertising

Books vs Digital Readers Review Infographic

In today’s modern world it seems the written word within a paper book is doomed especially with the coming of the digital reader (nook, e-reader, kindle) and the convenience of carrying an entire library in your pocket. This infographic weight the cons and merits of the age-old book versus the new digital reader.

Infographic Review

Infographic Design: D

I am very disappointed in this submission. So much could have been done to play off the idea of the written word vs. the digital text. Instead we get a pedestrian color palette with images that don’t really add much other than some size measurements the “designer” needed to include. A condensed font was used make readability a nightmare when there was plenty of room to allow for a wider typeface to be sued. The white space is overwhelming and the graphics seems to be floating in space. without any real connection to the content. This infographic makes me want to choose cave paintings over reading its poorly designed contents.

Infographic Information: C+

The information included on books vs digital readers in this infographic is statistical viable. The sales numbers are interesting, and hopefully accurate. It is bood to se that paper books still hold a sizable lead (at least to me, and I own a kindle too) and look to be a safe bet for years to come. It is nice that the research shows multiple types of info such as size comparisons, sales information and demographics of ownership.

Image Source:MastersinEducation.org

Sexy Lingerie Infographic

Lingerie can be a delicious treat (both for the woman who wears it and the man who beholds it!) There is no doubt that lingerie has definite sex appeal. In fact, many fashionable women have become so enamored with these ultra sexy, feminine looks that many don’t want to bury them underneath more serious clothing. They look for every opportunity to show them off on the outside. There’s no question that the look and appeal of lingerie has something to offer every woman, no matter her age, shape or size. But does the lingerie you wear say anything special about you? Is lingerie just great eye candy? Or, does it say something more about your personality? Hmmmm. Good question. So we dug up some tantalizing stats. Here’s an infographic that takes a look at lingerie and what your lingerie might be saying about you.

Infographic Scorecard

Infographic Design: C-

Not much in terms of graphics. A predictable choice in pink with some lace at the top. In fact, the lace looks like my grandmother’s lace doilies on her tables. Hardly sexy. The pinstripe background is not a bad choice, but usually pin striping is for something less feminine, but I could go either way on that graphic element. The fonts are small and hard to read. The typeface appears to be times-roman or something very close and the hand-writing font isn’t a great choice. Alas, it appears this infographic was chosen to build links rather than be entertaining. Really missed an opportunity to create something visually appealing.

Infographic Information: A-

I would overlook the sparse data if this infographic would have pushed the envelope even slightly. Not one lingerie mode? Really? Oh well, the data information doesn’t show much better. Three very obvious reasons for buying lingerie are included and them some stats on the ages of women who buy lingerie. While I was disturbed that 3% of women over 60 buy lingerie, I may feel different when I’m a septuagenarian. ;-)

Do Men and Women Shop Online Differently?

This infographic tackles the question of whether men and women differ in their online shopping habits. I know that personally, my wife and I differ. I buy things online, pay for them via PayPal, and am done with it. My wife tends to like larger purchases that require multiple payments, so that when I go to balance the bank account I have to remember that the $48.78 from Online Vendor A is from that “6 payments with no interest” for a fancy bowl, household appliance, or pair of shoes. But I digress…

Annual Spending

The first subject the infographic addresses is the average annual online spending for men and women, depending on age. We find that people in their thirties buy about the same amount as people in their mid fifties or early sixties, though women around 26 years old do the most amount of online shopping. The creators of the graphic make a little joke, saying that men of a certain age shop online less because they “may be too busy with their midlife crises” and they tell us that women 45-54 are in the prime of their career and have less time to shop, but that they still spend about $200 more per year than men of the same age (the ones busy with their midlife crises).

Shopping Times

We’re given the information that most online purchases are made between 12-1 PM and 7-8 PM. Women make most of their online purchases during their lunch hour, men make their purchases in the evening. Actually, that’s if the graphic is to be believed. If you read what they tell you, only 8% of the 7-8 PM purchases are made by men. So, the 7-8 PM wedge of the pie being blue may be misleading. Since the lines int he top graph aren’t too far apart, I guess we can just assume that fewer men make larger purchases.

Average Shopping Time

It says that men take an average of ten minutes to complete their online purchase, while women take fourteen minutes. They tell us “a guy’s purchase decision is a tactical execution,” while “a woman’s purchase decision is a philosophical examination.” Even if that’s so, I guess it only takes a woman about four extra minutes to get all philosophical.

Average Spending

This sort of confirms what we said earlier, that men might spend more than women, but the numbers do not differ that much, only about $67.82 for a man’s average purchase, $51.84 for a woman’s. They do say that men are “more tenured” at shopping online and that explains their comfort with buying more expensive items. Hm.

Purchases by Day of the Week

We’re told that men do the reconnaissance on the weekends, then go to work Monday morning to bargain hunt and make the purchase. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are pretty even with the male/female split, but women shop a tiny bit more on Thursdays, men shop more on Fridays, and women shop more on Saturdays and Sundays.

Returning Goods

According to Forrester Research, men return items faster. If they are going to return it they will do so within the first day or two, and the average (which is not indicative of the reality) is within 21 days. Women, who return items less frequently, will do around day 4 or day 5.

Design: B

They use blue and pink for men and women, respectively, which is the most logical choice, I suppose, but with the marbled pink, blue, and yellow background it sort of looks like a nursery gone wrong. The typeface used is pleasant, and the whole thing is arranged nicely.

Information: A

If it’s true, it gets an A. I feel like the averages take a lot of extreme variables into account, so the overview we’re getting is slightly watered-down, but for what it is, it’s fine.

Source: Extrabux.com provides coupons and cash back

Free Shipping Infographic

Who doesn’t like getting something for free? Additionally, who hasn’t found something for a bargain, only to find out that the shipping costs more the item itself? I remember one time when I ordered a very old typewriter. I found the thing for a dollar, but the shipping was $40. I hit the button too fast, and I ended up paying $40 to ship something that only cost a buck. Bad mistake, and one that was not quick to repeat. Until I found that antique accordion….but I digress.

Types of Shipping Deals

This infographic deals mainly with the different ways you can get free shipping. You can get it from a retailer that has a large profit margin, thus allowing them to offer free shipping, but you’re really paying for the cost of shipping with the item purchase price. It is probably good that they covered that one first, since it is technically “free shipping” but it isn’t really free. Then they talk about free shipping with an annual membership fee, which , again, is not really “free” because you have to pay that annual fee. This is a better option than the first one, since often an annual membership fee will entitle you to more benefits than free shipping, and can be worth it. They then talk about the minimum order deal – you order a certain amount of goods, you get free shipping. Some places offer free shipping on certain heavy or bulky items, mainly because they know that nobody would buy them online if they had to pay the shipping (but the infographic does not say that). Site to store and free return shipping are two other things they talk about.

They also talk about free shipping based on location, and flat rate shipping, though flat rate shipping is just that. A flat rate, and not free.

Statistics

They throw some statistics in there, like the fact that 43% of online shopping cars are abandoned, and that 23% of online shoppers don’t shop online anymore because of the shipping costs. More than half of the online shoppers poled (I’m assuming they were polled) said that shipping costs were a “very important” factor in deciding where and whether or not to shop online, and that three quarters of online shoppers prefer merchants who offer free shipping. I bet the number is actually higher than that. Who doesn’t like free shipping? Half of the people said that they would be more likely to shop online if they got free shipping orders, and almost all of them said that when there is a chance for free shipping with some sort of present minimum for shopping they’ll shop more to get the free shipping. Finally, 72% said that a merchant who currently offers free shipping would lose their business if they stopped offering free shipping.

Design: B-

The infographic is clear and easy to read, but they could have done it so it wasn’t so long and you didn’t have to do so much scrolling. The colors and typeface are OK, but it’s not a stunning infographic.

Information: C

While the numbers are handy to have, the graphic doesn’t give us any surprising or insightful information. Sure, people like free shipping. I would have rather seen something that told me where I can find free shipping.

Source: FreeShipping

Reasons for Buying a Condominium Infographic

This infographic is appealing. Like cake or candy. The pictures are so pretty you almost want to eat them. Or make little computer people to live in them while you decide what they eat and who they interact with. But I digress…

Courtesy of a Winnipeg real estate agent, we are given seven reasons for buying a condominium. Though the agent is located in Winnipeg, the advice is applicable in the US, and the reasons presented are good. The infographic gives enough information without giving too much, and the graphics are top-notch. Here are the reasons for buying a condominium, according to them.

Cost

Condominiums are great for first-time homebuyers because they are usually less expensive, and they are supposedly a way to avoid the bidding wars associated with buying a single family home. They don’t really tell you how a condo differs from a free-standing house in terms of the negotiation, but one can assume that it’s because condominiums are often new, with a set price, and they are often priced to sell.

Lifestyle

They bring up a relevant point, and that is with a detached home you often have a yard to worry about, while in a condominium you don’t. This works great if you travel often, if you don’t like doing yard work (a topic addressed later), or if you don’t want people to know your home is empty while you’re away. Which brings us to…

Security

Condominiums often offer security cameras, secure entrances, and other things like hired security personnel that you don’t get in a detached home, unless you want to pay a lot of money. These added security features are part of the condominium living experience, and are something to think about if you travel, live alone, or own expensive things.

Community

Because many condo communities offer common rooms, fitness centers, or swimming pools, there are places for the residents to congregate, making it easier to get to know the people who live around you. Some condominium communities even schedule activities for their residents, so you have the opportunity to become friends with people in your community who share similarities in lifestyle, likely, and who are your neighbors.

Lower Operating Costs

There are things you most likely won’t have to pay when you live in a condominium. One can be building insurance. It’s wise to insure your possession, but the cost of insuring the actual structure falls into the hands of the managing company, and is part of the purchase price or dues. In some communities, you also will not have to pay heat, water, or other utilities because they are built into the fees you pay. So instead of paying lots of bills, you pay one, and because you’re sharing the utility bills with others, your overall operating costs are lower.

Home Ownership

You’ll be living apartment-style, condo-style, or townhouse-style with all the conveniences these types of dwellings offer, but you’ll still be a homeowner, so you will reap the benefits associated with owning your own home. In addition to any tax breaks you get (in the US), you also can treat the condo just like it’s a house. You can design it however you want within the confines of the space, you can rent it out to someone else, you can borrow against it and take out a second mortgage…all the same things you can do with a detached home, except for adding on to the space.

No Yardwork

Cutting grass? Forget it. Shoveling snow? Not your problem. Cleaning gutters, fixing walkways, trimming hedges, and all that comes with the outdoor maintenance of a home is all taken care of. All you have to do is live there.

Design: A

The graphics say what the text doesn’t, so they compliment each other very well, and the entire infographic is appealing and fun to look at. All the typeface choices are good, the color scheme is pleasing, and I can’t find anything wrong with the design, except for that Realtors like to put their faces on everything. Although, he looks like a trustworthy guy, so I suppose that adds to this infographic’s charm.

Information: A-

The information is straightforward, but not overly enlightening. These are common-sense facts that are laid out and provided in an attractive way.

VIA Bo Kauffmann at Winnepegg Home Finder

Combating Mass Incarceration Infographic

This infographic starts off with a shocking fact – that the U.S. has 25% of the world’s prison population, but only 5% of the world population. That’s sort of mind-boggling, when you stop to think about it. We recently posted an infographic on innocent people who were imprisoned, and then released because DNA evidence proved their innocence. How many of that 25% of the world’s prison population is potentially innocent? What are the costs associated with keeping so many people in prison? That question and more are addressed in this infogrpahic, described by the creator as such:

“The war on drugs has helped make the U.S. the world’s largest incarcerator, but our addiction to incarceration is unfair, costs too much and doesn’t make us safer.” This leads one to believe that the creator of the infographic does not believe that drug offenders should be imprisoned, which is definitely debatable, as some consequence needs to occur to help keep drugs off the street. What are the right answers? What’s a country to do? But I digress…

Violent or Nonviolent?

One fourth of the infographic is taken up by a picture of a prison with blue and red bars. The blue bars indicate the nonviolent offenders, the red ones indicate the violent offenders. Visually, this image is not very effective, and the information that half of the inhabitants of state prisons are “locked up” for nonviolent offenses is presented in such a way that the reader sees the creator’s bias – obviously the person who compiled and presented this data feels that nonviolent offenses are, by and large, nothing people should be “locked up” for. Rather than persuading the audience, as more data might do, one is left with a feeling that all the data to come will be biased and therefore, not completely reliable.

The Cost

The next section talks about spending – that by 2007, “states spent more than $44 billion on incarceration and related expenses, a 127% jump from 1987” and then states the spend on higher education has rose only by 21%. These statistics are taken from a report by The PEW Charitable trusts, which is supposed to be a non-partisan, objective, and non-ideological organization, so it is safe to assume the numbers are right, however even the source information uses the term “behind bars” as a way to emphasize the severity of the situation. This makes even the source information seem biased, and at a glance it looks like the source document talks about the cost of prisons in the United States. While this is an important topic, one cannot help but think about all the information that is left out of the infographic. The numbers are there, but is the reader supposed to be shocked and dismayed by the number of people in prison and the cost to keep them there in that they want less incarceration? If so, what solutions does this infographic offer in regards to reducing crime and what does it do to offer an alternate solution to incarceration?

Some Statistics

A ball and chain graphic shows the data that while the United States saw a 44% increase in population overall from 1970 to 2008, that the prison population growth rate is 700% during that same time period. We’re told that this “outpaces” crime rates, but I find this confusing. If the crime rates are not as high as the prison population growth, is the implied message that innocent people are being incarcerated? With some blocks of stick figures, we’re given some demographic information, that 1 in 106 white males 18 or older is in prison, 1 in 36 Hispanic males 18 or older is in prison, and that 1 in 15 black males 18 or older is imprisoned. At a glance, this looks terrible – that so many more black men and Hispanic men are imprisoned than white men, but the supporting data that would show the cause for incarceration is missing. Though the creator of the infographic went to the trouble of drawing a line between violent and nonviolent offenders, the demographic information does not draw in that data regarding the percentages of each demographic incarcerated for violent vs. nonviolent crimes, and though the description provided says something about the war on drugs, drugs are not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the infographic.

Design: B

The graphics and typefaces are fine. Perhaps the prison graphic takes up too much space, but the colors used are appropriate and the images tell a story. The supporting data does not.

Information: D

This infographic gives facts without context, which shows bias. Bias shows a certain vulnerability regarding factual accuracy, and the point of this infographic is lost. The way the information is presented, and how one piece of information is disconnected from the other does a great disservice to the message this piece was supposed to send.

VIA: mass incarceration

Saving Money on International Calling

The creators of this infographic describe it by way of this little blurb:

“Ensuring that you stay in contact with family and friends while traveling abroad requires careful planning. The infographic provides a step-by-step guide on how to research phone compatibility with international servers as well as selecting a mobile operator that will help you save money in the long-run. Interesting international phone call statistics are used to highlight the growing importance of cross-continent telephone usage.”

The infographic has pleasing colors and appealing graphics – the stick figures at the top with their cans with strings attaching them made me smile right away. I always wondered why anybody would ever think that would work – that you could talk into cans attached by string? Turns out, according to some science blog, that it DOES work over short distances because talking into the cup creates vibrations that travel along the string, causing the same vibrations to happen in the second cup, thus making it possible for the person to hear what the other person said into the other cup. The string has to be tight for this to work. And, obviously, phones work better, especially for international calls. Anyway, I digress….

Underneath the cute cartoon stick people with their cans and string (a string that is not tight, mind you) is a question from an (I assume) imaginary person named Sally Cavill who is asking about the least expensive way to keep in touch with her daughter, who is going to be in the U.S. for a month. The infographic is branded by the company that created it, and that company happens to be a U.K. company. The answer to “Sally’s” question comes from the company, who set up the rest of the infographic by stating that they’ve summarized the best ways to keep in touch inexpensively. They finish up with “Sally” by giving some tips on what her daughter should do before leaving the country.

Phone Bill Savings Methods

This section gives an overview of the best mobile networks for U.K.-based people to stay in touch from all over the world. They include the O2, Vodafone, Orange, T Mobile, and Three mobile operators, and give you a summary of the plans available for international calling. They then go into the PC-based ways to stay in touch, mentioning Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Jajah, and Fring, discussing the offerings of each. Finally, they give two options for calling cards and SIM cards – Story and IDT, and give you the scoop on those. They use the company logos, which helps the would-be shopper and researcher become familiar with the brand they are referencing, but with so many competing colors, even though the infographic is generously spaced, it still seems a bit busy.

Cheapest to Most Expensive Methods for Staying in Touch

The next section rates the methods mentioned in the previous sections from least expensive to most expensive. The typeface used throughout the infographic is pleasant and easy-to-ready, but again I find myself distracted by the colors. The background of the whole thing is shades of blue honeycomb pattern, so the use of red, lime green, orange, and yellow, while easy to see, is a little off-putting. This section, however is very informative, and presents the information in the last section in a more condensed way, showing the viewer, from cheapest to most expensive, the options for staying in touch while overseas.

Interesting Facts

This is where it gets busier, but also very interesting. The honeycomb changes colors (to a disturbing bruise color, really) and informs the reader that the first TransAtlantic call took place on March 7, 1926 from London to New York. I wish it said who made that phone call, but that’s OK. The infographic then shows the top five fixed line call destinations from the UK – the use of red is still bugging me here – and the top 5 are…well, look up there. It’s all right there on the image. Then there are statistics from 2009 showing the number of UK households that use VoIP and the percent of people in the UK who are VoIP subscribers, and then there is a little section about Skype. Even though they use the blue color for that section because it’s the Skype color, I would have like to have seen blues throughout. It would have been easier on the eyes, I think.

Design: B-

The colors were distracting, and the thing was a little too spread out for my taste, though I liked the cartoon people and the typeface used.

Information: A-

A handy guide for someone in the U.K. who is looking to travel and stay in touch with family members without spending a fortune.

Source: Avoiding A Large Phone Bill When Travelling Infographic from EssentialTravel.co.uk

How to Order Custom Military Coins Infographic

This is an infographic created by a company that makes custom military coins. I am a little confused, since I thought that most military images are property of, well, the military, but apparently you can design your very own custom military coin and get it shipped to you. Since these obviously are not used as currency (at least not that I know of), I imagine they are used as collectibles, ordered by different battalions, or Civil War Re-enactors, or veterans groups. Come to think of it, it really is a neat way to commemorate a certain event or group of people. And I suppose, since the coin can have ANY design you want, that it doesn’t have to be military-themed. It could be fraternity-themed, company-themed, book-club-themed…but I digress.

What To Note About the Company’s Services

They do free shipping in the USA, which is crucial because a gazillion coins are heavy. They will do free art, so that if you are a crappy artist, or if you are not sure exactly what you want, they will mock something up for you. They will do five Pantone color matches for you for free – that used to cost a lot. Also, they guarantee their coins 100%.

The Design Process

First you choose quantity (you can order up to a “gazillion” coins. That’s a lot of coins). Then you choose the size, metal style, and shape. Not for nothing, but I think coins should be round. Then you send either your already-designed art, or your ideas for them to create art for you.

Proofing

After that, they send you a proof. It will be a paper proof, not an actual proof of your coin. Come on. They’re already color matching, doing free artwork, and shipping for free. What else do you want from these guys? You can either approve your proof, or you can say, “Gee, I think it would be better with more cowbell” or something and they’ll do a new proof for you. Rinse, repeat.

Approval

I pretty much covered this in the last paragraph. I got ahead of myself. The infographic did not. It went through the process properly. The colors are a little striking, I should mention, but typefaces are good, I like the use of tone-on-tone in some places, and they are funny in their little text bits. I like funny. It makes me happy.

Shipping

They ship FOR FREE! Amazing. I feel like I’m reviewing this company, and not their infographic, but their infographic is ABOUT their company, so it’s a whole chicken/egg sort of thing. You can track your order via UPS, and order usually arrive withing 17 days of proof approval. And there’s a big picture of a box.

All in all, I like that a company is advertising itself via infographic, and they made a pretty good one. I mean, I’ve seen worse.

Design: B

It is nice to look at. It is organized well. I am partial to the color orange.

Information: A

At least, I think so. Unless they are lying about their company, which I do not think they would do.

VIA: MilitaryCoinsUSA

STD Statistics Infographic

Thankfully this is one subject I personally know very little about; at least from my own experience. Being married for 22 years, for all its downfalls, will give you a better sense of security knowing you probably don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases. Although part of the reason for that is that you are only having sex with one person (your spouse, I would hope), but if you are married then you probably aren’t having that much sex in any case, but I digress…

If you are sexually active or thinking about becoming sexually active then this infographic about STDs should give you a scare. In fact, it should give you pause to consider celibacy, but knowing our current culture of sex and using sex to sell everything, I have little hope for that. So read the STD statistics and consider the dangers you are about to get in bed with, both figuratively and literally.

The sexually transmitted diseases statistics and data that are provided are interesting and diverse. For instance, I know to stay the hell out of Mississippi if I’m interested in sowing my seed or getting a loose reputation. Chlamydia rates are the highest in that state and overall higher in the South than the rest of the United States. Want to make your sexual claim with less risk? Head to New Hampshire where Chlamydia is less likely to stake a claim in your southern regions.

Want to travel abroad (no pun intended), be even more careful, HIV cases in Eastern Europe are growing at a faster rate (3X) than in the rest of Europe. Must be the water.

Feeling safe because you can have your Gonorrhea treated? Not so fast my promiscuous friend. Gonorrhea is building a drug resistance according to the infographic’s data.

Other depressing facts are pointed out such as the rate for contracting HIV is 8 times higher for women than men in Africa and even more disturbing is the fact that 5.6 million South Africans are living with HIV in 2009.

While all of the STD statistics are sobering, the most eye-popping is the fact that over 1 million people are infected with an STD every day. Holy Chastity Belts! That’s a lot of diseases being transmitted sexually.

Luckily we have this well-designed infographic to help us digest this horrible information. A orange and turquoise color palette work well together and the images, while not extremely unique, accent the infographic design nicely. The typefaces are mixed well, using a sans serif and slab serif for easy readability. If anything is wrong it might be the playful nature of the design. Such a sensitive and serious topic as sexually transmitted diseases may deserve a less “colorful” design. A small complaint though for a design job that is above most infographics I review.

Design: B

Thoughtful process to the design and careful choices with color and imagery make this a winner.

Information: A

Nice collection of statistics about a subject we would probably like to hear about less: STDs.

STD infographic provided by STD Testing.