How can right brains meet left brains!? Visualizing complex concepts and data—that’s how! Visuals, when used effectively,?make ideas accessible and understandable. From layered charts to data visualizations?to model graphics, bring it on!?
Let’s make a case for visualizing EVERYTHING! Here are just a?few things we love about graphic visualizations:
- They make it real. Take something that is an idea inside one’s head and transform it into something tangible that can actually be shared!
- They help show connections that are difficult (or wonky, or just very, very long) to explain in words.
- We can imbue them with emotion. Visualizations can highlight nuance and tell a story that people can connect with.
- Sometimes they help reveal another side! Visualizations can provide?ways to see things from totally new perspectives.
- They bridge different ways of learning. Whether you’re right or left-brain dominant, an effective?visualization will speak to everyone.?
Do you have a tricky concept, data set, or story that you need help showing? Nothing makes our nerdy hearts happier than digging into ALL the details to make clarity out of complexity.?
- Less is more. Remove unnecessary details, labels, lines, or extra data that distract from the point.
- Visually draw attention to the main point. What are you trying to show? Reinforce the point by highlighting or pointing to it, or including it as a nice, big call out.
- Does it really need a key? Keys can be tricky because you have to keep looking from the key to the graphic. Is it possible to include labels instead?
- Use colors of?multiple values. Remember that contrast is really important for accessibility!?Make sure you have light and dark colors so shapes (and type) don’t blend together.?
- You’re not limited to PowerPoint!?And you don’t need fancy design software. Check out Canva, Google Charts, Infogram,?or even Tableau Public if you are feeling daring!
- Go for color schemes that give you a range. A completely monochromatic color palette can wash out your data. Complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) can make things pop but can also be jarring. Find a set of colors that give you options!
- Consider color psychology. Use color choices strategically. Colors have moods and implied meaning. For example: red draws attention but it also represents danger and “going into the red.”
