Interactive infographic: what it is, types and how to create one for e-learning

What is an interactive infographic?

An interactive infographic is a visual resource that allows users to actively explore the information presented: expanding sections, zooming in on text, navigating through layers, or interacting with its elements. Unlike a static infographic, it does not simply display data — it invites users to discover it.

In the context of corporate training, this type of resource is especially valuable for representing multi-step processes, comparisons between concepts, hierarchical structures, or any content where understanding improves when learners control the pace and level of detail they access. According to the Learning and Development Global Sentiment Survey by Donald H. Taylor, interactive and personalised content is among the top priorities for L&D teams in the coming years.

Benefits of interactive infographics in corporate training

Interactive infographics are not simply an aesthetic upgrade to content: they have a direct impact on how learners process and retain information. Here are their main advantages in the e-learning context:

• Higher content retention. Dual coding theory (Paivio, 1986) demonstrates that combining visual and textual information significantly improves retention. Interactivity adds a third dimension: active exploration consolidates learning better than passive observation.
• Reduced cognitive overload. By revealing information progressively (learners expand only what they need), the saturation effect caused by dense slides or lengthy texts is avoided.
• Greater engagement. Learners shift from passive recipients to active explorers. This translates into longer attention spans and lower drop-off rates, particularly in mandatory training where intrinsic motivation is limited.
• Mobile adaptability. A well-designed infographic works on small screens because each element only occupies the space it needs, without compromising readability.
• Thematic versatility. From onboarding processes to compliance regulations, through digital competencies or safety protocols: virtually any structured content can be effectively represented using this format.

Types of interactive infographics for e-learning

Not all interactive infographics are the same. Choosing the right type depends on the nature of the content and the learning objective. Below are some of the formats available in isEazy Author and their optimal use cases in corporate training:

• Pyramid. Ideal for representing hierarchies, maturity levels or processes with increasing priority. Widely used in leadership content (needs pyramid, competency levels) or in learning strategies with different depths.
• Sectors. Perfect for showing proportions, distributions or mutually exclusive categories. Useful in corporate culture content (company values, areas of action) or in time management and resource allocation training.
• Horizontal panels. Recommended for linear or chronological processes where order matters: workflows, project phases, steps in an operational procedure. The horizontal layout reinforces the idea of sequence.
• Vertical panels. Similar to horizontal panels, but with greater prominence for each individual element. Works well for comparing options or presenting parallel concepts that learners can explore independently.

In all types, automatic numbering can be enabled or disabled as appropriate: it is especially useful when the order of elements is significant (steps in a process) and unnecessary when elements are equivalent to each other (values, categories).

How to create an interactive infographic in isEazy Author

isEazy Author includes the Infographic element natively, with no need for external tools or design knowledge. The creation process follows these steps:

1. Choose the infographic type

Select from pyramid, sectors, horizontal panels or vertical panels. You can change the type at any time without losing the content already entered: the system automatically adapts the visual representation.

2. Add a title (optional)

The title appears above the infographic. If the element occupies a small space within the slide, the title is hidden and appears as a pop-up button to avoid compromising the visual space.

3. Configure the background

You can use a solid colour (with adjustable opacity) or a background image. This setting is the same as for other visual elements in Author, so if you are already familiar with the image element you will not need to learn anything new.

4. Enable or disable numbering

Automatic numbering is useful when elements have a significant order. If elements are equivalent or interchangeable, disable it for a cleaner appearance.

5. Define the elements (minimum 3, maximum 6)

Each infographic element has four configurable fields:

• Title: the main label for the element. It should be descriptive and unique within the infographic.
• Text: a brief description visible directly in the infographic.
• Colour: visually differentiates each element. Use the corporate palette to maintain brand consistency.
• Icon: a visual element that reinforces the concept. isEazy Author provides an icon library to choose from.

6. Add extended text if you need more depth

The extended text is additional content that appears when the learner presses the “+” button on each element. It is ideal for training where learners need to access supplementary information without cluttering the main view. In courses with sequential navigation, the system can require learners to have viewed this text before advancing, ensuring they do not skip critical content.

Vodafone is a good example of how an authoring tool with native interactive elements such as infographics can transform the production of training content. With isEazy Author, Vodafone tripled its productivity in e-learning course creation, producing more engaging and interactive content in less time. Discover how they did it →

Tools for creating interactive infographics

The market offers different solutions for creating interactive infographics, from generic design tools to e-learning-specific platforms. The key difference lies in whether the tool is designed to produce training content or simply visual content:

• Generic design tools (Canva, Venngage, Genially): allow you to create attractive infographics, but the result is usually a static image or an embedded file that does not integrate natively into an e-learning course and is not compatible with standards such as SCORM or xAPI.
• Authoring tools with native infographic support (such as isEazy Author): the infographic element is part of the course itself, with the same navigation logic, tracking and accessibility as the rest of the content. There is no need to export, convert or embed: it is created directly within the course production environment.

The following comparison shows the main differences between isEazy Author and other market options for creating interactive content:

Accessibility in interactive infographics

An accessible interactive infographic is not an optional goal: it is a requirement to ensure that all staff can complete training on equal terms. Here are the fundamental best practices:

• Colour contrast. Ensure that the text over each element colour meets the minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, according to WCAG 2.1 criteria. The choice of colour for each element directly influences this parameter.
• Title with semantic heading. Assign a heading level to the infographic title (H2, H3…) so that screen readers can identify and navigate the element. Avoid repeating the same title in different elements within the same section of the project.
• Accessible mode. In accessible mode, extended texts that normally appear when interacting with the “+” button are displayed directly alongside the lower legend, beneath the infographic image. This ensures that users with visual or motor disabilities can access all the information without relying on interaction.
• No animations in accessible mode. Accessible mode disables element animations, which benefits users with motion sensitivity or those using assistive technology.

Designing with accessibility from the outset not only meets current legal standards: it improves the experience for all learners and reinforces the organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Common mistakes when creating infographics for e-learning

Knowing the most common mistakes helps avoid them before they affect the learner experience:

• Exceeding the optimal number of elements. More than 8 elements overload the infographic and make it difficult to read, especially on mobile. If the content requires more than 6 points, consider splitting it into two consecutive infographics or using another format (list, table).
• Non-descriptive titles. The title of each element is the first information the learner sees. If it is generic (“Point 1”, “Concept A”) the guiding value of the visual format is lost. Use specific and memorable labels.
• Ignoring extended text. Many content teams only fill in the title and brief text, leaving the extended text empty. This is precisely the area where formative depth lies: use it to expand, exemplify or contextualise each element.
• Using colours without contrast criteria. Choosing colours for aesthetics without checking contrast can make text unreadable for some learners. Always review contrast before publishing.
• Not testing on mobile. An infographic that works well on desktop may be uncomfortable on a small screen if elements are too dense. Always preview on a mobile device before publishing the course.

Transform your training with infographics that really work

Interactive infographics are much more than an attractive visual resource: they are a pedagogical tool that improves retention, reduces cognitive overload and turns learners into the protagonists of their own learning. In a corporate training context where time is limited and attention is the most valuable asset, choosing formats that invite exploration rather than simply displaying information makes all the difference.

With isEazy Author, creating professional-quality interactive infographics requires no design knowledge or external tools. Everything is natively integrated in the same environment where you build your courses, with the same logic, the same tracking and the same accessibility standards as the rest of your content.

Want to see it for yourself? Try isEazy Author for free and discover how easy it is to transform your content into learning experiences that truly engage.