The document provides guidance on designing effective information graphics and presentations. It discusses avoiding misrepresentation, identifying issues with example bar graphs, and using typography and layout techniques like grids and columns to structure graphics and slides so the information is easily readable at different distances. The key is using large, clear fonts and maximizing image size while maintaining a clear visual hierarchy and navigation through the use of grids, columns, and spacing.

1. design discretion
PLAN601E Verbal and visual: Information Graphics (session 4)

2. on representation

3. from Tufte, 1983, p. 69
on representation
Avoid misrepresentation in your graphics: be careful about
relative scale and the presentation of relative proportion!

4. population age 18 – 34 (2012)
100 %
80 %
60 %
40 %
20 %
0%
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Is there anything wrong with this bar GRAPH?

5. diets of plan601E students
100 %
80 %
60 %
40 %
20 %
0%
n
ria
ita
ex
ic
Fl
ot
bi
ro
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oct
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n
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Ve
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oct er
La Eat
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Is there anything wrong with this bar graph?

6. DISTRIBUTION OF TEST SCORES
PERCENTAGE OF TESTERS BY SCORE
12 %
10 %
8%
6%
4%
0%
800
770
740
710
680
650
620
590
560
530
500
470
440
410
380
350
320
290
260
230
Is there anything wrong with this bar graph?

7. pescatarians
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Is there anything wrong with this pie chart?

8. DISPLAY
components
units
messages
Related categories
at a specific moment in time
Unrelated quantities
OR a trend across a value range
Parts of a whole
Independent categories
Percentages or shares
Absolute quantities
Single and simple
One or more
pie charts versus bar graphs

9. smoking among art school cohort
non-smokers
37%
smokers
63%
what about count charts?
Can be useful when your sample size is manageable enough to
display all units; makes units more tangible, easily indicates both
quantity and share.

10. formatting for different media

11. 1’ ­ 2’
–
2’ ­ 10’
–
10’ ­ 30’
–
presentation format and scale
Aa
Aa
Aa

12. Leading the eye.
Leading the eye.
INFORMATION GRAPHICS = USING GRIDS
layout = using grids
Rule of thirds.
Rule of thirds.

13. Use typography (sizes, colors, styles) as a navigation system for the page;
organize text and images into columns; scale images so they balance with text
column
column
column
column
margin
gutter
report layout
Typography and columns provide a basic navigation system for
reports, which have a high level of detail.

14. Use typography (sizes, colors, styles) as a navigation system for the page;
organize text and images into columns; scale images so they balance with text
HEADER
photo
SUBHEAD
/ TEXT
TEXT
TEXT
TEXT
MAP
report layout
Typography and columns provide a basic navigation system for
reports, which have a high level of detail.

15. Use typography (sizes, colors, styles) fromnavigation system for the page;
Can you read all fonts as a 1 to 3 feet away?
organize text and images into columns; scale images so they balance with text
header
image scaled
proportional
to text
caption
subsubhead
summary
deck
body text
footer
subhead
sidebar box
with unique
font styles
Typography and columns provide a basic navigation pt.;
Minimum font sizes: Title – 18 pt.; subhead – 10system for
REPORT LAYOUT
TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR CASE STUDIES!!!
report layout
reports, which have a – 12 pt.
body / caption-texthigh level of detail.

16. Can you read all fonts from to feet away?
Can you read all fonts from 11to 33 feet away?
Minimum font sizes: Title – pt.; subhead – 10 pt.;
Minimumfont sizes: Title – 18 18 pt.; subhead – 10 pt.;
REPORT LAYOUT
TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR CASE STUDIES!!!
report layout
body / caption-text – 10 12
body / caption-text –pt. pt.

17. Use the 3 x 3 grid to organize images and annotation into thematic areas.
board layout
Rows and columns provide a basic navigation system for boards,
which organize information thematically.

18. Use the 3 Can you read all fonts from 10 to 12 feet away?
x 3 grid to organize images and annotation into thematic areas.
title
title
rendering
intro
precedents
analysis
concept
strategies
site plan
collages
phasing
Fonts and font sizes: Title – 48 pt.; subhead system for
Minimum columns provide also basic navigation – 36 pt.;
board layout
BOARD LAYOUT
TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR CASE STUDIES!!!
boards, caption-text 18 pt.
body / which organize–information thematically.

19. Can you read all fonts from 10 to 12 feet away?
Can you read all fonts from10 to 12 feet away?
Minimum font sizes: Title – pt.; subhead – 36 – 36
Minimumfont sizes: Title – 48 48 pt.; subhead pt.; pt.;
BOARD LAYOUT
TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR CASE STUDIES!!!
board layout
body / caption-text – 18 18
body / caption-text –pt. pt.

20. Maximize image size on the slide with legible headers and text.
header
subhead
image
header
subhead
text
image
header
subhead
text
images
slide layout
Minimum font sizes: Title – 36 pt.; subhead – 24 pt.;
body / caption-text – 14 pt.

21. report
boards
slides
Format
Linear
Linear/non-linear
Linear
Reading Distance
1 – 2 ft.
3 – 10 ft.
10 – 30 ft.
Image Size
Proportional to text
As large as possible
As large as possible
Text
Detailed narrative
Annotation
Summary statements
Structure
Sequential ideas
Related ideas
One idea at a time
format comparison