Data

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Visualization

Introduction

What is data visualization?

Why is it so important?

information that has been abstracted

in some schematic form, including
attributes or variables for the units of
information

Data visualization principles

Data visualization principles

Beyond charts

1. Let the data speak for itself

1. Avoid content free decoration

2. Simplify the information

2. Use visuals to engage, not distract

3. Write for the audience and situation

Integrating visualizations into presentations

Graphical representation of data

1. Have a story to tell

1. Let the data dictate the chart type

2. Have one clear message per page

2. Make it Simple

3. Make your writing MECE

3. Eliminate chart junk

4. Eliminate repetition
5. Maximize the data to ink ratio
6. Never use pie charts

DATA VISUALIZATION PRINCIPLES

Data visualization principles

1. Let the data speak for itself

Thousands

Non-Employee Followers
Avg. added per month
14

+8%
13.1

13
12.1
12

11

10

8
0
Sep 2013 - Mar 2014
Source: Linkedin

Mar 2014 - Dec 2014

Data visualization principles

2. Simplify the information

Data visualization principles

3. Write for the audience and situation

Situation

Variables

Audience seniority
Paper slides or onscreen

Simplicity / complexity

Reading or live presenting

Length of presentation / depth of detail

In person or on screen

Color palette

Unfamiliar or familiar audience

Use of photos / visuals

Use of text, text size and density

Unfamiliar or familiar topic

Size of audience

Time available

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF DATA

Graphical representation of data

1. Let the data dictate the chart type

Nothing more frustrating than having a cool chart that doesnt tell us anything.

Chart types for making Comparisons

Graphical representation of data

2. Make it Simple

Simple can be harder than

complex: You have to work hard
to get your thinking clean to
make it simple. But its worth it in
the end because once you get
there, you can move
mountains.
Steve Jobs

Graphical representation of data

3. Eliminate chartjunk

Graphical representation of data

4. Maximise the data to ink ratio

KEEP IT MINIMALIST.
THX

Graphical representation of data

5. Never use pie charts

Graphical representation of data

5. except in very limited circumstances

Im on my way.
Still at home

I'm actually on my way

<15 mins

15-30
mins
>30 mins

Minutes away from

destination

BEYOND CHARTS AND GRAPHS

Beyond charts & graphs

1. Avoid content free decoration
Simple graphics tell better stories.

Beyond charts & graphs

2. Its not always about graphs

Graph: Growth of white pine seedlings and the amount of calcium

added in the soil

Health Care Cost in the US vs. Europe

PRESENTING DATA VISUALIZATIONS

Presenting data visualizations

1. Have a story to tell

Source: Dark Horse Analytics

Presenting data visualizations

2. Have one clear message per page
The biggest text on the page
delivers no value or insight and
is purely descriptive

Final client version still has

DRAFT label on it

Multiple data points buried in

the text, not displayed visually

Three different messages

across four different channels

Presenting data visualizations

3. Make your writing MECE

Snack costs
$ per snack
In January, Will spent on average
$4.30 on coffee, $2.40 on Bagels
and $2.00 on donuts

$6.00
$5.00

$4.00
Coffee
$3.00

Bagel
Donut

$2.00
$1.00

In February, Will spent on average

$2.50 on coffee, $4.40 on Bagels
and $2.00 on donuts
In March, Will spent on average
$3.50 on coffee, $1.80 on Bagels
and $3.00 on donuts
In April, Will spent on average
$4.50 on coffee, $2.80 on Bagels
and $5.00 on donuts

$0.00

Jan-14

Feb-14

Mar-14

Apr-14

Presenting data visualizations

3. Make your language simple

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are
used to seeing in print
2.
3.
4.

It
is
easier

even
quicker,
once

Never use a long word where a short one will do

you have the habit to say In my

If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out
opinion it is not an unjustifiable
Never use theassumption
passive wherethat
you can
use
the
active
than to say I think

5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can
George Orwell
think of an everyday English equivalent
Politics and the English Language

6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous

APPENDIX

Toolkit

Edward Tufte: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information,

Barbara Minto: The Pyramid Principle

Dark Horse Analytics: http://darkhorseanalytics.com/blog/

Style.org: http://style.org/tapestry/
Data visualization tools: http://www.creativebloq.com/design-tools/data-visualization-712402
George Orwell: Politics and the English Language
ThinkCell: http://www.think-cell.com/en/

Aploris: http://www.aploris.com/