I just was doing a little research on photosynthesis and I found a great info graphic on the cycle of it. This is helpful because the viewer can see how plants and humans use each other's sources for living. This I would consider to be a linear progress. The viewer is taken the steps through the index's of the process. It is another great example of showing hierarchy, by using the index's and layering of each step, which is most important. It show process between the colors of the arrows, notice how the gradation of one arrow goes into the next step, each step is shown by it's own color. Even with color, the diagram is keeping with a cohesive color combination. It shows that by using color with the arrows, think about what step it is and what color can visually represent that step, while also not being over powering by the step, but leaving the importance up to the imagery. Placement is also being thought of, recognizing what visually makes sense.
extra thought: one thing that I have noticed in information graphics is the importance of labeling. By labeling things it helps to give clarification. However, showing labels and some text is good, but the point of a information graphics is to visually communicate the subject matter. Depending on how abstract the diagram is, the typography will clarify to the viewer different depths of the piece. One thing I need to keep in mind is how to relay less (for example) "typing out what the steps of the leaves" and more on the communication between the iconic's and mapping, time based, and comparison. With this example if you were to exclude the labels the viewer would still be able to understand what it is about, but the text is working as a hint. (if that makes any sense)
These are valid points of what this infograph has. But, you should also be critical of what it lacks. While its contents are clear through the inclusion of labeling, color coding, etc, it certainly lacks overall visual polish due to poor composition, image quality and typography.
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