Abstract
Information is a transferable signal, through signs and symbols.
Messages are tidings, which are transferring the content of the information.
Both elements, the information and the message, are always present in information graphics. The information is the translation of the data into visual structures. The message shows the story and contents the author intended to tell and to point out. Creating meaningful messages within information graphics can lead to more effectiveness in the knowledge transfer, but can also be used to generate propaganda. Therefore the method of Visual Storytelling can be used to transfer informative messages into visual graphics within different contexts. This process is the visual translation of contents into informative and narrative graphics, which can orientate on the factual, statistical correctness or on telling emotional stories. Due to that the information and message are adjusted to the users’ needs and interests. In the end, using target-oriented Visual Storytelling affects a higher impact on the knowledge transfer and the users’ attention.
Reflecting on existing graphics and graphic types, the research focusses on the various intentions for telling a story. The questions „What is information? What is a message?“ are building the basis for the story-creation. How can we find those information and messages? Is Visual Storytelling directing the information and/or the message? What makes the difference in the knowledge transfer, using various types of visual representation forms? Are each type of visualisation controlling and impacting the implemented information and its outgoing message?