Skip to main content

Use Powerful Visualizations to Make Your Message Clear

Communication is the key to human connection.


But adequately sharing information can be more difficult than you may think. George Bernard Shaw said the single biggest challenge in communication is the illusion that it has taken place!


Experts estimate that 65 percent of people are visual learners, so one of the easiest ways to communicate with people is with pictures. A well-structured chart, graph, or data visualization can do wonders for sharing your insights with customers, team members, or your superiors. And with easily accessible tools you can use illustrations to:



  • Get your message across quickly

  • Make complex data accessible to many

  • Make your report or presentation more visually appealing

  • Create a more memorable, lasting impression

Whether you're reporting the household budget or spicing up slides for a presentation, stretch yourself to try one of these options this month.


Vertical Bar Charts


This is a simple option for comparing data grouped by distinct categories. Vertical bar charts are better when sharing 10 groups of data or less.


Horizontal Bar Charts


Typically, horizontal bar charts are effective when you have more than 10 groups of data or if you have long category labels to share.


This format makes labels easier to read because they are displayed in the proper orientation. Vertical and bar charts are excellent for comparing any sort of numeric value, including group sizes, inventories, ratings, and survey responses.


Pie Charts


Pie charts are fun to look at and helpful for understanding parts of a whole.


Remember to order the pieces of your pie according to size and to ensure the total of your pieces adds up to 100%.


Line Chart


Line charts are used to show data relative to a continuous variable: calendar months, years, budget allocations, etc.


Plotting data variables on line graphs makes it easier for readers to identify useful trends or to evaluate comparable products or challenges. 


Bullet Chart


Bullet charts are typically used to display performance data relative to a goal.


A bullet graph reveals progress toward a goal, compares this to another measure, and provides context in the form of a rating or performance.


Flow Charts


Following the proper process is something that can make or break an organization or its employees.


Flow charts are used typically in medical, educational, or manufacturing fields to bring quality control and to ensure procedures are uniformly followed.


Pictographs


Here images and symbols are used to illustrate data.


For example, a basic pictograph might use a frowny face to signify sick days and a happy face to symbolize healthy days. Because images hold more emotional power than raw data, pictograms are often used to present medical data. An illustration that shades five out of 20 people has a much more significant impact in sharing a 20-percent death rate.


Sharpen Your Image


When finalizing your data visualization, here are ways to bring your best to the table:


Less is More.


When creating illustrations, consider which gridlines, borders, or numbers can be removed to make the essential parts speak for themselves.  


Let White Space Shout.


Minimalist designs like this Congressional gender chart can highlight areas where a gross imbalance exists.  


Interpret Data for Readers.


Viewers can understand data more easily when you offer compelling titles and well-placed labels.


Use a Call to Action. 


To move your readers, encourage them to take action and make changes.


A great example of this comes from Sebastian Soto, who built a single-color pictograph about the decline of Zambian malaria. Using quotes from key research and health ministry directors on the poster, he closed the graphic with this phrase: "Let's Collaborate. againstmalaria.com."


If you need help creating visualizations for your next print project, give us a call today!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Print Marketing Pieces that will Woo Your Corporate Clients

Some of the most effective ways of communicating value don’t require looking up a website or downloading a mobile device teaser program. In fact, non-digital marketing activities win over corporate clients regularly without ever needing to be plugged in. Here are five of them. 1. Business Cards Yes, those traditional business cards are still winners. Business cards provide critical contact information and enough detail on how to connect with an organization quickly. Whether by email, text, phone, or mail, the info on a business card is powerful. People love business cards because they are easy to transfer, pack, save, and reference. In the corporate world, business cards still resonate. 2. Letterheads and Stationary In a day and age when so much communication happens by email and texting, the traditional letter stands out, even in a mail pile full of folders and generic material. Best used when conveying a personal connection, professional letterhead is loved by co...
3 comments
Read more

How to Prepare Large-Format Projects for Print

When you want to flaunt your finest, large-format printing can make an oversized impact! Large-format printing includes products printed at a length of 18-100 inches with a minimum width of 60 inches. Some of the most popular items include posters, window graphics, yard signs, vehicle wraps, vinyl banners, media backdrops, and more. While large-scale graphics are stunning, these projects require special preparation, so these images remain vibrant and sharp when stretched to larger-than-life proportions. If you plan to go BIG, here are some factors to consider. Communicate from the Start When diving in on a large-scale printing, create a detailed brief and use this to speak to your printer as early as possible. Try to include everything from the size, design, materials, and deadlines. Your printer will work with you to be sure your ideas are achievable, and the timeline is realistic. Set Appropriate Image Specifications As you connect with a printer, be sure your images ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Share Your Brand Story to Create Distinct, Authentic Connections

In a noisy marketplace, businesses must work smarter to grab prospects and lock in loyalty. But the desire for relationship is mutual. According to Cheetah Mobile marketing director Josh Ong, customers don’t just want to buy, they want to buy into something: “Millennials are more likely than any other demographic to be brand loyal. But millennials don’t choose which brand to be loyal to at random, instead, they are highly attuned to the story that a brand tells, as well as the values that brand exhibits.” No one can resist a good story! Need proof? Here’s a fun brand story from eyewear retailer Warby Parker : Warby was founded as a rebellious upstart to tackle the problem of expensive eyewear because of a frustrating personal experience. During a backpacking trip, one of Warby’s founders lost his glasses. Since he was a broke grad student, he couldn’t afford to replace them, and he spent the rest of the semester squinting. By circumven...
Post a Comment
Read more