Infographic

What Is Infographic

An infographic is a structured visual argument. If you prompt it like a poster illustration, you will get decorative nonsense.

Use this skill when the image needs:

• clear information hierarchy
• sections with distinct roles
• exact titles and labels
• arrows, callouts, or comparisons
• visual metaphors that explain an idea
• dense information without collapsing into noise

Core Rule

Architecture before aesthetics.

The layout and logic of the information matter more than style keywords.

Two-Dimension System

Two independent decisions: layout (information structure) × style (visual aesthetics). Freely combine any layout with any style.

• funnel is a layout, not a style
• technical blueprint is a style, not a layout
• dense modules is a layout for information-heavy guides
• hand-drawn journal is a style direction for tone and texture

If the layout is wrong, better styling will not save the image.

Layout Gallery (21)

Layout	Best For
linear-progression	Timelines, processes, tutorials
binary-comparison	A vs B, before-after, pros-cons
comparison-matrix	Multi-factor comparisons
hierarchical-layers	Pyramids, priority levels
tree-branching	Categories, taxonomies
hub-spoke	Central concept with related items
structural-breakdown	Exploded views, cross-sections
bento-grid	Multiple topics, overview
iceberg	Surface vs hidden aspects
bridge	Problem-solution
funnel	Conversion, filtering
isometric-map	Spatial relationships
dashboard	Metrics, KPIs
periodic-table	Categorized collections
comic-strip	Narratives, sequences
story-mountain	Plot structure, tension arcs
jigsaw	Interconnected parts
venn-diagram	Overlapping concepts
winding-roadmap	Journey, milestones
circular-flow	Cycles, recurring processes
dense-modules	High-density modules, data-rich guides

Full definitions: references/layouts/<layout>.md

Style Gallery (22)

Style	Description
craft-handmade	Hand-drawn, paper craft
claymation	3D clay figures, stop-motion
kawaii	Japanese cute, pastels
storybook-watercolor	Soft painted, whimsical
chalkboard	Chalk on black board
cyberpunk-neon	Neon glow, futuristic
bold-graphic	Comic style, halftone
aged-academia	Vintage science, sepia
corporate-memphis	Flat vector, vibrant
technical-schematic	Blueprint, engineering
origami	Folded paper, geometric
pixel-art	Retro 8-bit
ui-wireframe	Grayscale interface mockup
subway-map	Transit diagram
ikea-manual	Minimal line art
knolling	Organized flat-lay
lego-brick	Toy brick construction
pop-laboratory	Blueprint grid, coordinate markers, lab precision
morandi-journal	Hand-drawn doodle, warm Morandi tones
retro-pop-grid	1970s retro pop art, Swiss grid, thick outlines
hand-drawn-edu	Macaron pastels, hand-drawn wobble, stick figures
retro-popup-pop	Retro popup collage, vintage UI, thick outlines, flat pop colors

Full definitions: references/styles/<style>.md

Recommended Combinations

Content Type	Layout + Style
Timeline/History	linear-progression + craft-handmade
Step-by-step	linear-progression + ikea-manual
A vs B	binary-comparison + corporate-memphis
Hierarchy	hierarchical-layers + craft-handmade
Overlap	venn-diagram + craft-handmade
Conversion	funnel + corporate-memphis
Cycles	circular-flow + craft-handmade
Technical	structural-breakdown + technical-schematic
Metrics	dashboard + corporate-memphis
Educational	bento-grid + chalkboard
Journey	winding-roadmap + storybook-watercolor
Categories	periodic-table + bold-graphic
Product Guide	dense-modules + morandi-journal
Technical Guide	dense-modules + pop-laboratory
Trendy Guide	dense-modules + retro-pop-grid
Retro Pop Guide	dense-modules + retro-popup-pop
Educational Diagram	hub-spoke + hand-drawn-edu
Process Tutorial	linear-progression + hand-drawn-edu

Keyword Shortcuts

When user input contains these keywords, use the mapped layout as the leading recommendation:

User Keyword	Layout	Recommended Styles	Default Aspect
高密度信息大图 / high-density-info	dense-modules	morandi-journal, pop-laboratory, retro-pop-grid, retro-popup-pop	portrait (9:16)
信息图 / infographic	bento-grid	craft-handmade	landscape (16:9)

Preferences (EXTEND.md)

On first run, check for EXTEND.md in priority order:

Priority	Path	Scope
1	.infographic/EXTEND.md	Project
2	~/.config/pica/infographic/EXTEND.md	User (fallback)

Result	Action
Found	Read, parse, apply as defaults for layout/style/aspect/language recommendations
Not found	Run first-time setup per references/config/first-time-setup.md — ask user preferences, save to .infographic/EXTEND.md (project scope), then continue

Preferences shift recommendations only — they never bypass user confirmation.

Schema: references/config/preferences-schema.md

Workflow

1. Load preferences

Check for EXTEND.md (see above). If not found, run first-time setup before proceeding.

2. Analyze the source content

Before writing any prompt, define:

• the headline claim
• the supporting sections
• the relationship between sections
• the one takeaway the viewer should remember

If you cannot express the argument in a few bullets, you are not ready to generate.

Read analysis-framework for the full methodology, then save results to analysis.md.

3. Convert to structured content

Rewrite the source into a compact planning format with title, learning objectives, sections, labels, data points, and bottom takeaway.

This step matters because the model cannot invent information architecture reliably.

Read structured-content-template for the detailed format.

4. Choose layout × style

Start from the information pattern, not from what sounds visually cool.

Read layout-selection for the quick mapping, then open the relevant layout/style files:

• Layout definitions: references/layouts/<layout>.md
• Style definitions: references/styles/<style>.md

Recommend 3-5 layout×style combinations based on:

• Data structure -> matching layout
• Content tone -> matching style
• Audience expectations

For most dense infographics, vertical 9:16 is the safest starting point.

5. Plan the exact text

Before generation, list:

• title
• section headers
• labels
• quotes
• captions

Short exact strings work far better than vague requests like include some labels.

6. Build the prompt

Use base-prompt as the template. Fill in:

1. Layout definition from references/layouts/<layout>.md
2. Style definition from references/styles/<style>.md
3. Structured content from step 3
4. All text in the target language

Prompt order:

[Title] +
[Overall layout structure] +
[Section 1 details] +
[Section 2 details] +
... +
[Connectors / relationships] +
[Bottom summary or quote] +
[Style direction]

7. Generate

Use gpt-image-2 — best text rendering and structured layout accuracy for infographics.

pica model search "gpt image"
pica model info <model-id>
pica generate \
  --model <model-id> \
  --kind image_generation \
  --input '{
    "prompt": "<full prompt from step 6>"
  }'

The first render should answer:

• Is the hierarchy correct?
• Are the sections where they should be?
• Does the chosen layout read immediately?
• Are labels roughly in the right places?

Do not waste time polishing color before the structure works.

Text Rendering Rules

• include exact wording for titles and labels
• keep each text fragment concise
• tell the model where the text belongs
• separate headers, labels, and quotes by function

Iteration Rules

When reviewing a draft, decide what failed:

• hierarchy failed -> rewrite layout structure
• layout family failed -> choose a different layout, not just a new prompt wording
• labels failed -> shorten and specify text
• sections too crowded -> reduce content or switch to dense-modules
• too sparse -> switch away from dense-modules or increase module count
• style failed but structure works -> keep layout, only change style language

Do not rewrite the whole prompt when only one layer failed.

Common Failure Modes

• describing an illustration instead of a layout
• omitting exact text
• having sections with no explicit relationships
• overloading one frame with too many ideas
• chasing style before information architecture is correct
• using a low-density layout for high-density content
• forcing dense-modules when the source only has one or two points

References

• references/config/preferences-schema.md — EXTEND.md schema
• references/config/first-time-setup.md — First-time setup flow
• references/analysis-framework.md — Analysis methodology
• references/structured-content-template.md — Content format template
• references/structured-content.md — Content format quick reference
• references/base-prompt.md — Prompt template
• references/layout-selection.md — Layout quick mapping
• references/layouts/<layout>.md — 21 layout definitions
• references/styles/<style>.md — 22 style definitions