Courtland Jeffrey prepared this handout for journalists attending APME's Phoenix NewsTrain on April 6-7, 2018. In it, he gives an overview of different websites to use to create maps and charts. In particular, he discusses using Google My Maps and Infogram. Jeffrey is a data visualizer at KNXV-ABC15 in Phoenix. It accompanies his presentation called, "Create your own simple graphics." NewsTrain is a training initiative of Associated Press Media Editors (APME). More info: http://bit.ly/NewsTrain

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Data visualization: overview
Courtland Jeffrey | @court_jeffrey | courtland.jeffrey@gmail.com
Analyze your data first and then gauge how simple/complex a visualization would be
from the final information. Don’t see an option that works for you? Check out a catalog
or Google your idea!
Simple
● MAPS
○ Google My Maps - Plotting, geocoding
○ Infogram - Simple shape maps
● CHARTS
○ Infogram - Clean, simple charts/maps
○ Piktochart - Infographics, simple charts
○ Datawrapper - Creates simple charts
● ETC.
○ ThingLink - Interactive images/other content
○ Scribd - Embed PDF files
○ Embed Responsively - Can help make embed code responsive
○ Responsive Table Generator - Creates simple embeddable tables
Average
● MAPS
○ Carto - More advanced mapping, shapes,
○ Google Fusion Tables – Heavy-data maps, charts, etc.
● CHARTS
○ Plot.ly - Detailed data charts, more customization
● ETC.
○ TimelineJS - Interactive timeline of events with details
○ StoryMapJS - Sequence of map points with detailed info
○ JuxtaposeJS - Photo slider
○ Datawrapper - Creates embeddable, searchable tables
Complex
● MAPS
○ Tableau – Heavy-data analysis, mapping and charting
○ ArcGIS - Heavy code-based mapping
○ Google Maps API - Heavy code-based mapping
● CHARTS
○ Tableau
● ETC.
○ SPSS - Intensive statistical-analysis software

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○ SQL - Higher-level data-analysis tools
○ Unity - VR software engine
Catalogs
● Journalist’s Toolbox
● Digitalstory.tools

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Data visualization: maps
Overview
Interactive maps help tell the story using location and geography. Maps can be useful
with just a couple of points plotted or with multiple layers of heavy data.
Popular mapping tools
1. Google My Maps
2. Carto
3. ArcGIS
Creating a Google My Maps map
1. Log into your Google account.
2. Go to the Google My Maps website.
3. Create a new map.
4. Begin adding to the map in one of a few ways:
a. Search for locations.
b. Manually plot points.
c. Draw regions.
5. Customize map: change map icons, region colors, icon details, etc.
6. Source map’s data, if necessary.
Publishing a Google My Maps map
1. Click on the “share” button.
2. Click on “Change…” under “Who has Access.”
3. Change the setting from “private” to “on - public on the web” and click save.
4. Click “done.”
5. Click on the 3 dots in the upper right of the menu and choose “embed on my site.”

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Data visualization: charts
Overview
Interactive charts help tell the story by utilizing and displaying detailed data in a
digestible manner. Charts can be a useful way to elaborate on statistics and add
interactivity to a story without overwhelming the audience.
Popular chart/infographic tools
1. Piktochart (Infographics/charts)- piktochart.com
2. Infogram (Infographics/charts)- infogram.com
3. Plotly (charts)- plot.ly
Key creation elements
1. Valid data/information
2. Purpose for the information (what do you want to show the audience?)
3. SOURCING SOURCING SOURCING
Creating an Infogram chart/infographic
1. Create a new chart in Infogram and title your project.
2. Select a chart option from the side menu.
3. Choose “edit data” on the right-side menu, then import/copy over data.
4. In “settings” right-side menu, change chart properties.
5. Add title, sourcing.
6. Share/embed your project.
Example data
1. Largest wildfires: https://goo.gl/x9TK1S