Presentation by Betty Allen (CommsConsult) during the GDNet Awards and Medals Presentation Skills Training - Budapest, 14 June 2012

1. Presenting Complex Data Visually
Betty Allen
Twitter: @Bet_Allen

2. WHY PRESENT DATA VISUALLY?
It increases
It makes complex information retention
data easier to
understand
It creates It pulls out key
something messages and
shareable provides clarity
It creates You control the
excitement message

3. COMMUNICATING RESEARCH EFFECTIVELY:
MAKING SHAREABLE PRODUCTS

4. What are the key messages here?

7. THE FOUR KEY CONSIDERATIONS:
• INITIAL IDEA – what part of your research do you want to present visually?
• LOGICAL PURPOSE – Does your graphic device have a purpose that adds to
your key research messages?
• DESIGN PRINCIPLES – How will you create the best appearance and format
for effective message communication? Which software tools will you use?
• PUBLICATION PLATFORM – Where will the graphic be published has direct
implications on the level of detail, size, complexity, etc.

8. REMEMBER!
• Information design tells a story with pictures.
• It’s NOT ONLY about making something aesthetically pleasing, or about
branding, style or making a glossy product…
…It’s about making your research data:
CLEAR
COMPELLING
and CONVINCING
Your data can only speak if you ask it a question, so work out…
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM YOUR DATA
and WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW IT
Then get creative with these tools…

9. SOFTWARE/TOOLS:
• StatPlanet: browser-based interactive data visualization and mapping
application allows you to create a wide range of visualizations, from simple
Flash maps to more advanced infograpahics.
http://www.sacmeq.org/statplanet/
• Creately: this is easy to use Online Diagramming software - purpose built for
team collaboration. http://creately.com/
• Hohli: this online chart maker is simple to use and allows you to create a range
of colourful pie, line, scatter, radar and bar charts. http://charts.hohli.com/
• Tableau: a free Windows-only software for creating colourful data
visualisations.http://www.tableausoftware.com/public/

10. SOFTWARE/TOOLS:
Xtimeline: allows you to create your own timelines of
data.http://www.xtimeline.com/index.aspx
Gap Minder (Hans Rosling): allows you to upload data and create an interactive chart.
http://www.gapminder.org/upload-data/
Many Eyes: allows you to upload data in a range of very versatile formats.
http://www-958.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/manyeyes/
Google Chart Tools: allows you to include constantly changing research data sourced
online. http://code.google.com/apis/chart/