Informational/educational graphics have come a very long way in the past 20 years. From pie charts, to metrics, to dying from PowerPoint these graphic have been breaking the ties that bind them to traditional delivery vehicles. Recently I can across this little gem:

Japan-The Strange Country (English ver.) from Kenichi on Vimeo.

Of course this is simply one example of making the educational content stylized and interesting and therefore more entertaining to watch or engage. We're seeing a massive influx of techniques and tactics that span beyond simply making it "look cool." The expectation for informational/educational graphic is also now how "repurposeable is the content?

• Can you work be translated easily?
• Is it culturally safe and internationally recognizable?
• Can the work be used across executable mediums?
• Is the work confined to one campaign? What level of versatility does it contain? Remember, the more versatile the more you can feasibly charge for it because the client can note the added value of 'one to many' advertorial application.
• Can it be used to sell as well as educate?
• Video, print, web, gaming and or trade shows?

Some other beautiful examples of this mindset:

• Themes For A Good Infographic
• What Makes a Good Infographic?
• 5 Essential Social Media Infographics For Marketers
• Data Visualization and Infographics
• Data visualization and infographics resources for design inspiration
• The Beauty of Infographics and Data Visualization
• 13 Interesting Infographics for Web Workers
• Stunning Infographics and Data Visualization
• ...and of course Visual Complexity.

/// TANGENT WARNING /// - no need to read any further I've made my point.

When you look at the modern day designer and advertising agency it all starts with 'integration' and how much can you give you client with minimized budgets. In warfare their are such things as tactical "strikes" to specific locations, groups and geographical areas – such the same is the modern advertiser. Saddly, there always seems like there money for war but not my projects – but I digress. Never before has the modern agency been given the statistical, demographic and campaign measurement as they have with today tools.

Of course the differentiator here is we don't want to 'kill' the enemy but 'engage' the customer. But just like the enemy the customer is smarter than we will ever be. They add, edit and delete interests and loyalties to brands, product and services faster than ever before. Like speed dating, technologies and products are more cost effective and therefor more disposable. The Toyota driver of today, is the Ford driver of tomorrow is the eco-aware company of the future, is the 'bike to work' commuter. Therefore the future is in extension, communication and reaction to the wants of the consumer and not the presumptions of aggregated data.