"As with dot plots, the scale on line charts has a lot to do with how the message is conveyed. For example, using too large a scale runs the risk that viewers may gloss over a very important story in the data. However, using too small a scale might lead you to overemphasize minor fluctuations. As with dot plots, designers should plot all of the data points so that the line chart takes up two-thirds of the y-axis’s total scale." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Because bubble charts have their limitations in conveying information clearly, you shouldn’t overcomplicate them by adding too much detail, manipulating the shapes to make them into money bags, or the like. You also want to avoid using shapes that are not entirely circular (e.g., a money bag or ring with a big ol’ diamond on it). This’ll just end up looking strange. While they are good for conveying high-level differences between subcategories’ values, people also want to understand the information as well - which works best if the differences between the bubble sizes are not very great." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Bubble charts are a type of area chart that use discrete or continuous data and can be used to display nominal and ranking relationships. You would seldom use them to show only a time series or part-to-whole relationship. Bubble charts can be used to compare subcategories’ values, in either side-by-side comparisons, or in more elaborate graph types such as bubble plots (when showing ranking and time series) and bubble maps (if geography was germane to the story being told). They are most valuable when the range of data set is large, and there is a good amount of variance between the smallest and the largest subcategories. They can also be useful when using bar charts simply looks awkward." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Bubble charts are botched quite frequently. It’s important to note that the total area (not the radius) of each bubble chart represents a subcategory’s quantitative value. How bad can bubble charts look if you use radius to scale instead of total area? If a designer is trying to use bubble charts to show the difference between two quantitative values - say 2 and 4 - the area of the latter should be twice as large as the former. But if they are basing scale on radius, the graph will be designed in a way that distorts the data. The differences become more pronounced with more difference between the values." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Color is a unique tool that you should use with care. Bold colors imply emphasis on a notable item, and when colors are used everywhere, it is difficult for people to determine where to direct their attention. When everything is highlighted, nothing is highlighted. Use this power to highlight sparingly on each slide, to point the viewer to the main thrust of your messaging." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Dashboarding is an area that has been using information design to communicate key business metrics for decades. In terms of purpose, these interfaces have embodied many of the best practices surrounding visual communication. Yet their aesthetic and creative value is often lacking. This is an area of great opportunity in business communication; while well intentioned, the dashboard’s traditional format and appearance could benefit from a bit of a makeover." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"[...] explorative infographics provide information in an unbiased fashion, enabling viewers to analyze it and arrive at their own conclusions. This approach is best used for scientific and academic applications, in which comprehension of collected research or insights is a priority. Narrative infographics guide the viewers through a specific set of information that tells a predetermined story. This approach is best used when there is a need to leave readers with a specific message to take away, and should focus on audience appeal and information retention." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Good infographics also communicate something meaningful. Communicating a message worth telling provides readers with something of value. While infographics can be a powerful vehicle of communication, they are sometimes produced arbitrarily or when a cohesive and interesting story isn’t present. If the information itself is incomplete, untrustworthy, or uninteresting, attempting to create a good infographic with it is more than a fool’s errand; it’s impossible." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"If used incorrectly, decorative elements have the potential to distract the viewer from the actual information, which detracts from the graphic’s total value. Mastering this execution and finding the balance between appeal and clarity can be a nuanced process." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"One of the main benefits (and reasons for the ubiquity) of static content is the relative ease of creating a static image versus an interactive interface - especially if you want to use the infographic to cover time-sensitive material or breaking news. This efficiency also makes this content relatively affordable compared to motion and interactive content. Another key factor in the rising popularity of static infographics is their ease of shareability, as they can easily be embedded in blogs." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"Stacked bars are most often used when there is a need to display multiple part-to-whole relationships. Stacked bars use discrete or continuous data, and can be oriented either vertically or horizontally. While the aggregate of each bar can be used to make nominal or ranking comparisons, this graph type is used when the composition of each bar tells an interesting story that provides the viewer with greater insight." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"The first thing you must understand is that information design is not limited to the visualization of data, in presentation design or any other application. It can and should be used to visualize other concepts such as hierarchy (org charts), anatomy (portfolio allocation), and chronology (timeline of events). Beyond the bar graphs showing sales figures and monthly projections, there are many more opportunities to explain concepts with visuals that will engage your audience and clarify your key points." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"The most frequent flaw in the design of a deck is likely the inconsistency among its various elements. Fonts vary; charts and graphs are borrowed from different sources; and company logos exist in varied formats, colors, and resolutions. As an agency that specializes in design, we understandably find these piecemeal creations more perturbing than the average person. However, the effect of a well-designed, polished presentation is undeniable - whether it is one that you share just within your company, or at a public speaking engagement. Of course, not every presentation occasion warrants the commission of a designer to create the deck, but we believe that many do. If the situation requires you to make a strong impression, it is essential that the various elements of your presentation fit together seamlessly. You want your audience to feel as though you have chosen your visuals as expertly as you have chosen your words." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"The order of priorities of a commercial marketing graphic would be appeal, retention, and then comprehension. Brands are looking to catch viewers’ attention and make a lasting impression - which usually means that viewers’ comprehension of content is frequently the brands’ last priority. The exception to this would be infographics that are more focused on the description of a product or service, such as a visual press release, since designers in these cases would want the viewer to clearly understand the material as it relates to the company’s value proposition. However, being appealing enough to prospective customers to get them to listen is always goal number one." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"The real value of pie charts is their usefulness in communicating big ideas quickly. However, they’re not very useful in comparing the values of the subcategories between pies (as stacked bars can be), or showing the changing makeup of a part-to-whole relationship over time. This is because it’s hard to compare the sizes of multiple pie “slices” (essentially the angles of their points next to each other) in the same pie or across multiple pies." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"What people often overlook in these debates is the most central issue to any design: the objective. While Tufte and Holmes might want to represent the exact same data set, they likely would be doing it for very different reasons. Tufte would aim to show the information in the most neutral way possible, to encourage his audience to analyze it without bias. Conversely, Holmes’s job is to editorialize the message in order to appeal to the viewer while communicating the value judgment he wants readers to take away. Tufte’s communication is explorative; that is, it encourages the viewer to explore and extract his or her own insights. Holmes’s, on the other hand, is narrative, and prescribes the intended conclusion to the viewer. The difference is inherent in their areas of work, as the objectives of science and research are much different than those of the publishing world. There’s no need to establish a universal approach to govern all objectives; rather, different individuals and industries should develop best practices unique to each application’s specific goal." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"When using dot plots to show a time series relationship, the scale does not have to start at a zero baseline. For the other relationships they do, however. For a time series relationship, the scale can be truncated if there is a story worth telling in the data that would otherwise be obscured by using a very large scale. However, you should use discretion when attempting to do this; a good rule of thumb is to use a scale in which the range of the dot plots consists of two-thirds of the graph’s total height, in order to display data trends more clearly. Additionally, if your goal is to show a time series relationship with continual data, you can throw a line on it, connecting the points. Essentially, you can use a series of straight lines between the points, which will help guide the reader’s eyes from left to right." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"While the information is of the utmost importance when it comes to soundness, what is done with the information - essentially, how it is designed - is also important. With this in mind, there are two things to consider: format and design quality. If an inappropriate format is used, the outcome will be inferior. Similarly, if the design misrepresents or skews the information deliberately or due to user error, or if the design is inappropriate given the subject matter, it cannot be considered high quality, no matter how aesthetically appealing it appears at first glance." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
"[...] while the underlying data is not permanently fixed, the output - or presentation of it - is a static snapshot of the data at a specific moment in time. The advantage of this approach is that you can tell a story (for internal or external purposes) that shows the data as of a particular date or within your desired date ranges. The disadvantage is that the viewer might not necessarily be able to get access to refreshed information in real-time, and might not realize that more current information is available. A static infographic won’t be enough for large groups that require access to real-time information. If you have such a need, you will either need to build an interface that allows multiple people to process and output updated information into reports, or at least have a system for ensuring that people know how to find updated information." (Jason Lankow et al, "Infographics: The power of visual storytelling", 2012)
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