presenting data visually mass academy of math and science worcester, mass

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


K. Gagné

Types of VisualsTypes of Visuals

Numerical TablesNumerical Tables Bar GraphsBar Graphs Line GraphsLine Graphs Pie ChartsPie Charts


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


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


K. Gagné

Line Graphs Line Graphs Show Changes Over TimeShow Changes Over Time


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Pie charts show Pie charts show percentagespercentages

East Fiscal Year

13%

17%

57%

13%

1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr


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?


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


K. Gagné

Good Design At WorkGood Design At Work

Stock Values

0

20

40

60

80

100

1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr

EastWestNorth


K. Gagné

What Happened Here?What Happened Here?


K. Gagné


1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr5th Qtr6th Qtr7th Qtr8th Qtr


K. Gagné



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

presenting data visually mass academy of math and science worcester, mass

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