This document discusses best practices for communicating data visually. It covers assumptions like the importance of storytelling over style and perceptions that data is dull. Benefits of including evidence like increased credibility and informed decisions are outlined. Common problems in presenting data are acknowledged. The document then examines chart selection, providing examples of bar, pie and distribution charts. It emphasizes asking what you want to say, what the data says, and what the audience needs to hear to determine the best visual. Color considerations and resources for infographics and training are also suggested.

1. Communicating with Data
Choosing the Best Visual

3. Learning Objectives
• Assumptions
• Benefits
• Problems
• Chart Selection

4. Assumption #1
Style trumps substance

5. 93%
Non-verbal
Communication

6. 7%
38%55%
Body
Language
Tone of
Voice
Words
Communication

7. 7%
38%55%
Body
Language
Tone of
Voice
Words
Communication

9. Assumption #2
Data is dull

10. A fact wrapped in story
is 22 times more memorable
“
“
--Jerome Bruner, Cognitive Psychologist

11. Benefits of evidence inclusion
• Increased credibility
• Sustained attitude change
• Informed decisions

12. Lifetime Risk of Cancer
38.4%
of people will be diagnosed with cancer
in their lifetimes
https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/all.html

13. Lifetime Risk of Cancer
Doctor Lawyer Engineer Cancer Cancer

14. Problems presenting data
Yikes!

15. Data

18. Harness your inner child

19. 3 Questions
1. What do you want to say?
2. What does the data say?
3. What does the audience need to hear?

20. Would a chart help?

21. Number of U.S. Households with Cats
(millions)
Pet Number
Dog 60.2
Cat 47.1
Freshwater Fish 12.5
Bird 7.9
Small animal 6.7
Reptile 4.7
Horse 2.6
Saltwater Fish 2.5
Total households 124.4 Million
Source: American Pet Products Association's 2017-2018 National Pet Owners
Survey.

22. Percent of U.S. Households with Cats
(percent)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Cats No Cats
Total households 124.4 Million
Source: American Pet Products Association's 2017-2018 National Pet Owners
Survey.

23. 38 %
of U.S. households
have a cat
Total households 124.4 Million
Source: American Pet Products Association's 2017-2018 National Pet Owners

24. 4 Basic Chart Categories
Comparison Composition
Relationship Distribution

25. Let’s Look at 3 Types of Charts
Bar Chart Pie Chart
Line Chart Distribution

26. Data: Number of U.S. Households with
Pets, by Type of Animal
(millions)
Pet Number
Dog 60.2
Cat 47.1
Freshwater Fish 12.5
Bird 7.9
Small animal 6.7
Reptile 4.7
Horse 2.6
Saltwater Fish 2.5
Total households 124.4 Million
Source: American Pet Products Association's 2017-2018 National Pet Owners
Survey.

27. Which Chart? (Your Turn)
Bar Chart Pie Chart
Line Chart Distribution

28. Pie chart?
Dog
Cat
Freshwater
Fish
Bird
Small animal
Reptile
Horse Saltwater
Fish
NUMBER OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS THAT OWN
A PET, BY TYPE OF ANIMAL (MILLIONS)

29. Line Chart?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
NUMBER OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS THAT OWN
A PET, BY TYPE OF ANIMAL. (MILLIONS)

30. Column Chart?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
NUMBER OF U.S HOUSEHOLDS THAT OWN A
PET, BY TYPE OF ANIMAL. (MILLIONS)

31. Bar Chart?
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Dog
Cat
Freshwater Fish
Bird
Small animal
Reptile
Horse
Saltwater Fish
NUMBER OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS THAT OWN A
PET, BY TYPE OF ANIMAL (MILLIONS)

32. Bar Chart: No Grids, Data added
60.2
47.1
12.5
7.9
6.7
4.7
2.6
2.5
0 20 40 60 80
Dog
Cat
Freshwater Fish
Bird
Small animal
Reptile
Horse
Saltwater Fish
NUMBER OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS THAT OWN
A PET, BY TYPE OF ANIMAL (MILLIONS)

33. Maybe try a different chart?

34. Tree Map?

36. Source: American Pet Products Association's 2017-2018 National Pet Owners
Survey.

37. Color Considerations
• Check Grayscale (for printing)
• Colorblind Check (7-10% Men)

38. Green-Blind version
http://www.color-blindness.com/coblis-color-blindness-simulator/

39. Look at Infographics for ideas

40. Suggested Resources
 Website: http://bit.ly/chartpicker
 Lynda.com*: Picking the Right Chart for Your Data
 Books:
• Presentation Zen
• Storytelling with Data
• Advanced Presentations by Design
*free online resource through many libraries!