Usually, the goal of an infographic is to engage the viewer on an intimate level, to woo her into spending a good bit of time exploring the nuances of the data you're displaying. Can infographics be successful if they are consumed in a very superficial way? Yes. Look no further than the 2002 music video of "Remind Me," by the Norwegian band Röyksopp.
The water cycle (0:47). Commuter transport (1:31). Beer consumption (3:51).
The successful graphics seem to work because they convey easy-to-understand information in a format that is familiar to the viewer. It's a nice reminder that reinventing the wheel sometimes only serves to obfuscate your meaning.
