This week LifeHacker linked to a wonderful free PDF published by the Extreme Presentation Method that helps one choose what chart to use depending on the information you want to present.
The Chart Chooser [PDF 89Kb] [Mirror]
The chart chooser is step 7 in the 10-step Extreme Presentation method for designing presentations that drive action.
For more on this methodology see their blog on the Extreme Presentation site, and in Advanced Presentations by Design
AnyChart
Another chart related service I cam eacross this week was recommended by 3Tera: AnyChart.
From their website:
“AnyChart is a flexible Flash based solution that allows you to create interactive and great looking flash charts. It is a cross-browser and cross-platform charting solution intended for everybody who deals with creation of dashboard, reporting, analytics, statistical, financial or any other data visualization solutions.
Right Visualization helps you to turn your data into Right Decisions! If you need advanced, award winning charts and graphs, then AnyChart is the perfect solution for you.”
FlowingData
During a discussion about the grandmaster of Information and data visualization – Edward Tufte – a colleague recommended I check out FlowingData :
“FlowingData explores how designers, statisticians, and computer scientists are using data to understand ourselves better – mainly through data visualization. Money spent, reps at the gym, time you waste, and personal information you enter online are all forms of data. How can we understand these data flows? Data visualization lets non-experts make sense of it all. “
If you like data visualization, then FlowingData’s feed is definately worth subscribing to.
See also:
CaseOrganic’s Data Visualizations Flickr Collection
[Update: Make sure you check out Dr Simon Raybould's concept of the "Golden Duck" , an entirely unnecessary graphic that draws attention to itself but contains no information. I finally have a name for my graphic pain! Thanks Simon.]
http://www.curved-vision.co.uk/presentation-skills-blog/2008/06/30/dont-duck/
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi – I’d not come across this PDF, so thanks for the heads-up! I’m a presentation skills trainer and this is something I fight with lots for clients. Personally I’d say the biggest two problems in picking which type of graphic to use are that people tend to use a graphic when they don’t need to use anything at all (see this blog posting of mine on “Golden Ducks“!) and perhaps that people try to use graphics which are far, far too complicated and unsuitable for projecting in presentations… but that’s based on my experience only and I’m sure other people find things differently.
Thanks again… Simon
Thanks Simon. You are absolutely right about Golden Ducks. Great concept, added to the post. I hope you stick around to comment again. Its a pleasure to have some high quality feedback.
I’m really excited you found use-value in the Flickr Data Vis set. It’s one of the most fantastic ways to understand liquid interaction in a frictionless space.
Cool stuff! It reminded me of someone you probably know of since I think you’ve mentioned TED talks somewhere in your posts before, but to be on the safe side (and for anyone else reading this) I’ll mention him – Hans Rosling, and his Gapminder (http://www.gapminder.org/). Amazing stuff to make statistics not only make sense, but leave you with a desire to know more.
Here’s Rosling on TED:
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html
follow-up (with possibly one of the best making-your-point-stick finish ever):
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hans_rosling_reveals_new_insights_on_poverty.html