presenting data visually mass academy of math and science worcester, mass
TRANSCRIPT
Presenting Data VisuallyPresenting Data Visually
Mass Academy of Math and Mass Academy of Math and ScienceScience
Worcester, Mass.Worcester, Mass.
http://www.massacademy.org/http://www.massacademy.org/
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Purpose of VisualsPurpose of Visuals
To inform or persuadeTo inform or persuade Makes complex data clearMakes complex data clear To emphasizeTo emphasize To present data out of contextTo present data out of context To involve an audienceTo involve an audience To counteract distracting To counteract distracting
environmentenvironment Makes data more memorableMakes data more memorable
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Types of VisualsTypes of Visuals
Numerical TablesNumerical Tables Bar GraphsBar Graphs Line GraphsLine Graphs Pie ChartsPie Charts
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Numerical TablesNumerical Tables
Business district stock valuesBusiness district stock values
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr
East 20.4 27.4 90
West 30.6 38.6 34.6
North 45.9 46.9 45
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Bar Graphs Compare DataBar Graphs Compare Data
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
EastWestNorth
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Line Graphs Line Graphs Show Changes Over TimeShow Changes Over Time
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Pie charts show Pie charts show percentagespercentages
East Fiscal Year
13%
17%
57%
13%
1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Preparing VisualsPreparing Visuals
PurposePurpose• What should audience see or think?What should audience see or think?
EmphasisEmphasis• Specific values?Specific values?• Comparisons?Comparisons?• Patterns?Patterns?
AudienceAudience• Tech background?Tech background?
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Design ReminderDesign Reminder
All tables should have titles at the topAll tables should have titles at the top Figures are labeled at the bottomFigures are labeled at the bottom All axes should be labeled All axes should be labeled
proportionatelyproportionately Use units!Use units! Keep color scheme simple and high Keep color scheme simple and high
contrastcontrast Use space well; avoid overcrowdingUse space well; avoid overcrowding
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
Good Design At WorkGood Design At Work
Stock Values
0
20
40
60
80
100
1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr
EastWestNorth
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
What Happened Here?What Happened Here?
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
What Happened Here?What Happened Here?
1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr5th Qtr6th Qtr7th Qtr8th Qtr
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
What Happened Here?What Happened Here?
18-Apr-05 http://www.massacademy.org/~kgagne
K. Gagné
PracticePractice
Design a chart to convey the following:Design a chart to convey the following: 70 freshmen prefer Snickers for 70 freshmen prefer Snickers for
HalloweenHalloween 25 freshmen prefer Milky Ways25 freshmen prefer Milky Ways 5 freshmen are undecided5 freshmen are undecided 30 seniors prefer Reese’s Pieces30 seniors prefer Reese’s Pieces 70 seniors prefer Milky Ways70 seniors prefer Milky Ways