Ten years ago, when people referred to “content” they meant words. Most of the digital work we did at Tendo back then focused on words; images and graphics were secondary. Today, nothing could be further from the truth—both in the work we do and the digital content we see every day. But why?

Turns out our brains process visual information faster than text, and we’re drawn to compelling imagery. Our online activity bears this out: Articles with images get more page views, and social media posts with images get more engagement than those without. As a result, visuals have taken center stage in the digital world. Infographics have shifted from a supporting character to a top-billed star of the show.

Infographics combine images and compelling data points to create a scannable visual that helps readers digest information about the topic at hand. At their best, they’re easy on the eyes, worthy of social media sharing, and support our philosophy of “show, don’t tell.” Below are four compelling infographics that use successful techniques to share information in an appealing way.

Topic #1: Kobe Bryant scoring 30,000 career points

Takeaway: The infographic does a stellar job representing its brand—both the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. It also packs in a lot of information without visual overload.

The scoop: NBA fans know that the Lakers are tanking this season, but this Kobe Bryant infographic quickly reminds you of the team’s glory days. And the design embraces the Lakers and the NBA: The color scheme is purple and gold (Lakers colors), it incorporates logos of other NBA teams, and it includes an image of Kobe flashing the “No. 1” sign, looking tall, lean, and every bit the basketball player. It also serves up an information hierarchy, with 30,000 points, the infographic’s key stat, drawing your attention with the largest font. You may not be a Lakers fan, but the infographic demonstrates the team’s style and substance.

Topic #2: Know your file types: When to use JPEG, GIF, and PNG

Takeaway: The design and text help liven up a topic that could otherwise be painfully dull. It also uses comparison as an engaging method of explanation.

The scoop: Is “GIF” pronounced “gif” or “jif”? When is it best to use a PNG file versus a JPEG? If you’ve ever wondered about various file types—or even if you haven’t—this infographic offers up some interesting tidbits about digital image files. You’ll get details you’re not likely to chat about at cocktail parties, such as compression, file size, and transparency, and yet I found myself carefully examining the design, which does a lot of things right: It’s clearly organized, comparing JPEG, GIF, and PNG and explaining which one might be best for your image and needs; it incorporates simple but effective icons to illustrate data (a microphone for pronunciation facts, a calendar for when the file type was created, and so on); and it punches up a dry topic by incorporating fun facts.

Topic #3: Debunking the myths about alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Takeaway: Medical topics can be complex and challenging to explain in layman’s terms, so a subject like hand sanitizer is a perfect contender for an infographic. This one helps up-level the key points to make the information more digestible.

The scoop: At the risk of sounding like a germaphobe, I admit that I keep hand sanitizer in my car, at my desk, and in my purse. But for every devotee like me, there’s someone out there who thinks hand sanitizer creates supergerms, or somehow makes people less capable of fighting colds and flu. This infographic from Purell sets the record straight, correcting the supergerm misconception and several others. Using simple imagery, short statements, and clear organization, the graphic takes you through the basics of germs, how Purell fights them, and the ingredients in the product. Purell also includes options for forwarding and downloading the infographic to encourage social sharing.

Topic #4: The anatomy of a perfect sales presentation

Takeaway: A good infographic often tells a story. This one tackles a business topic—developing an effective sales presentation—and takes you through the key steps, including helpful tips and examples.

The scoop: From start to finish, this infographic delivers on its promise of dissecting a sales presentation into instructive, logical, bite-sized steps. The corporate look and feel of the design matches the topic, and the design serves the data, guiding you through the steps with rectangular blocks reminiscent of a PPT. It also provides helpful examples, highlighted in a different font, and encourages a clear call to action at the conclusion; again, the clear, uncluttered design of the concluding CTA block matches the instruction. This infographic talks the talk while walking the walk.

Also, if you’re in the market for a new pair of glasses—and you’re wondering about the lead image in this blog post—check out these iconic pairs.