in·for·ma·tion graph·ic /n/

Moderately sized, meaningful combination of words, images, and shapes that together constitute a complete communication unit. Visual and verbal elements are tightly integrated. Is as self-contained as possible on 1 or 2 pages or on a large screen. Usually contains considerably more information than a concept diagram, although an information graphic may use any of the types of concept diagrams as its central visual element. Usually contains several blocks of text. Abbr. infographic. (Horn, 1998)

The Theory behind Infographics

Horn, R. E. (1998). Visual language. MacroVu, Inc.
Tufte, E. R. (1983). The visual display of quantitative information. Graphics Press.
Tufte, E. R. (1990). Envisioning information. Graphics Press.
Tufte, E. R. (1997). Visual explanations. Graphics Press.
Tufte, E. R. (2006). Beautiful evidence. Graphics Press.
Rosenberg, D., & Grafton, A. (2013). Cartographies of time: A history of the timeline. Princeton Architectural Press.

General References

Meyer, E. K. (1997). Designing infographics. Hayden Books.
Wainer, H. (2005). Graphic discovery: A trout in the milk and other visual adventures. Princeton University Press.
Wildbur, P. (1989). Information graphics: A survey of typographic, diagrammatic, and cartographic communication. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.

Examples to Learn from

Cook, G. (2013). The Best American Infographics 2013. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Cook, G. (2014). The Best American Infographics 2014. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Cook, G. (2015). The Best American Infographics 2015. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Cook, G. (2016). The Best American Infographics 2016. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

The Dark Side of the Force

Huff, D. (1954). How to Lie with Statistics. W.W. Norton.
Monmonier, M. (1991). How to Lie with Maps. University of Chicago Press.
Jones, G. E. (1995). How to Lie with Charts. Sybex