Visual Elements English 202C

Purposes for visual displays To set off or emphasize information To make complex information more accessible To make the abstract more concrete To make the concrete universal To symbolize structure or organization To condense large amounts of data To show relationships among data To compare and contrast data To show what something looks like To show what percentages or proportions are assigned to the parts of a whole To demonstrate how to do something To illustrate how something is organized or assembled

Audiences for visual displays Experience (with subject and type of display) Technical understanding Language and culture

Types of displays - Tables Give a large amount of data in less space Show characteristics of objects, ideas, or processes Help item-by-item comparison Display exact numeric values

Guidelines for Tables Select standard units of measurement Align the numbers along the decimal point or along the units column Align prose along the left-hand margin or center within the column Convert fractions to decimal points Use parallel grammatical forms for words Use rules and spaces to help cluster information Place the source of the table below the table

Table http://www.epinet.org/webfeatures/econindicators/tradefax-table-02-21-2002.gif

Graphs Show the relationships, trends, and patterns in two or more sets of data Support forecasts and predictions Help the audience interpolate or extrapolate Present complex information symbolically Interest the audience in the data or add credibility to words

General guidelines for graphs Center the title for the graph at the top Make axis lines heavier than grid lines, but not as heavy as curves/trend lines Start at zero or retain the zero baseline Avoid using two amount scales, if possible Label each access and indicate the unit of measurement Label grid rulings at standard intervals Use a legend to explain distinctions of tone, color, or symbols

Guidelines for bar graphs Make the bars the same width and label each bar Make the space between bars one-half the bar width Make the vertical or Y scale at least 75% as long as the horizontal scale Make the longest bar extend nearly to the top of the graph Consider using exact numbers to indicate values Consider using a legend or key to distinguish between bar colors or patterns Use color consistently to distinguish between types of information on the graph

Bar graph How effective is this graph according to the points listed on the previous slide? How might it mislead the reader? www.micheleborba.com/Media/ bar%20graph.jpg

Guidelines for line graphs Place the dependent variable on the Y axis Place the independent variable on the X axis Keep vertical and horizontal axes proportionate Make the sure the slope of the line accurately depicts the trend indicated by the data Mark individual data points on each line using nodes Place no more than three or four lines on each graph Use colors or symbols to distinguish between lines Label each line or use a legend to avoid clutter

Guidelines for pie charts Start the pie graph with the largest wedge at the 12 o’clock position Make sure the wedges add up to 100% with each 3.6º segment equaling 1% Keep wedges at least 5% or 18º Limit the graph to 8 wedges Combine small segments under “other” Separate only 1 wedge for emphasis, if any Place labels horizontally outside the pie. Avoid lines or arrows. Indicate exact percentages in the labels Avoid three-dimensional pies, which can distort information

Pie Chart How effective is this graph according to the points listed on the previous slide? How might it mislead the reader? “The approximately 130 industrial affiliates and partners at the NSF Supercomputer Centers fall into the broad groups shown above.” - www.hpcc.gov/pubs/blue94/ section.4.2.html

Other types: Area graph How effective is this type of graph? How might it mislead the reader? What features would make it easier to understand? www.usaid.gov/economic_growth/ trdweb/ane.html

Other types: Bar/pictograph? Figure 1. What Do We Pay for in a Gallon of Regular Grade Gasoline? How effective is this type of graph? How might it mislead the reader? What features would make it easier to understand? Source: Energy Information Administration www.eia.doe.gov/.../ html/petbro.html

Types of display - Charts Show the components, chronology, or steps of a whole organization, process, mechanism, or organism Display the interrelationships between the components, stages, or steps

Guidelines for charts Label components, steps, and subdivisions Use types of blocks (rectangles, circles, etc.) consistently Use meaningful labels within blocks Use arrows or lines to show relationships Avoid excess “chart junk”—too many colors, lines, fonts, etc.

Flowchart www.nabne.org/html/ flowchart.html

Types of display – Photographs Show the actual appearance of an object or organism Add realism of detail, tone, texture, and color to a display or discussion Display features of objects or organisms difficult to draw Prove something is real or exists

Guidelines for photographs Avoid too much detail in the photograph Be sure the background is not distracting Consider adding callouts or arrows to highlight key features Consider adding a caption to help readers understand what they are seeing Consider adding a familiar object to help people gauge the size/dimensions

Photograph A glazing waterfall resevoir in the Krispy Kreme production line. howstuffworks.lycoszone.com/ krispy-kreme4.htm

Types of display – Drawings and Diagrams Show the actual appearance of an object or organism, excluding unnecessary detail Show the physical components of mechanisms, objects, or organisms Show generic or nonspecific objects or organisms Display objects that might have existed in the past or might in the future Show views that would be impossible to see otherwise

Guidelines for drawings and diagrams Select the amount of detail your audience will find useful and manageable Label clearly all parts, steps, or stages Select symbols that are familiar to your audience Give dimensions, orientation, and point of view information about your object If useful, show how parts relate or are connected or attached to the whole and to each other

Cutaway drawings Used to show cross-sectional structures Often used for experienced or technical audiences, depending on context www.nicksboots.com/ cutaway.htm

Exploded view diagrams Show construction of an object Best for experienced or technical audiences www.skcinc.com/prod/ button.html

Schematic or symbolic diagrams Best for technical or experienced audiences Requires an understanding of abstract symbols www.chipcenter.com/circuitcellar/ march00/c0300r34.htm

Types of display - Maps Offer geographical information on data and objects Show locations in relationship to each other Show distribution of objects over a particular location Prepare the audience for travel

Map “This is a topographical map of the mound at Tel Rehov. The yellow gridlines are spaced at 50-meter intervals, and each elevation line indicates an increase in elevation of one meter.” www.rehov.org/maps.html

Cross-cultural visuals Be careful not to use images or icons that may not translate well into other languages or cultures