This document discusses data and information visualization tools. It introduces visualization and its benefits, such as communicating data across cultures and stimulating discussion. Key functions of visualization include telling stories, analyzing data, conveying information digestibly, and supporting research and decision-making. Examples and resources on creating and sharing visualizations are provided. The document also outlines considerations for using visualization tools, such as audience and purpose, and recommends specific free online tools.

1. Data and information
visualization tools
FAO Social Media Workshop

2. Intro /definition
 Creating visualizations of data can offers another
way of communicating and sharing that data with
others
 Visuals can stimulate conversation and meaning
making around data that is different from simply
presenting the textual or numerical data
 This is especially important when working across
cultures and languages
Source: KSToolkit

3. Key functions it supports
 Tell your story, document and share lessons learnt
 Analyze your data
 Convey abstract information in an easily digestible
format
 Supports research, problem solving, decision
making, planning
 Illustrate timelines, relationships, impact
 Create shareable and social media friendly
content

4. Examples
 The Female Face of Farming – Farming First &
FAO
 The Future of Food – Wired Magazine
 How Africa Tweets – Portland Communication
 How to Create a Social Media Campaign –
Simply Business
 R4D Twitter Good Practice - CommsConsult

5. How to use it
 Main things to consider:
– What function(s) is the information
designed to support?
– Who is your intended audience?
Source: Visualizing Information for Advocacy

6. How to use it
 Assessing your data – What do you have
available?
 Sorting and sketching – What is useful to use?
 Assessing your media – How to publish?
 Design –
Colours, structure, elements, technology
Source: Visualizing Information for Advocacy

7. What makes a good infographic?
 It’s a visual explanation that helps you more
easily understand, find or do something
 It’s visual, and when necessary, integrates
words and pictures in a fluid, dynamic way
 It stands alone and is completely self-
explanatory
 It reveals information that was formerly
hidden or submerged
 It makes possible faster, more consistent
understanding
 It’s universally understandable
Source: Communication Nation

8. Resources, and links
 Visualizing Information for Advocacy
http://www.tacticaltech.org/sites/tacticaltech.org/f
iles/infodesign.pdf
 Make Your Own Infographic
http://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2010/0
5/25/make-your-own-infographic

9. Useful tools
 Wordle – Generate “word clouds” from text
http://www.wordle.net/
 Xtimeline – Create and explore timelines
www.xtimeline.com
 Creately – Easily draw diagrams online
http://creately.com/
 ManyEyes – Upload your data
http://www-958.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/manyeyes
 Prezi
http://prezi.com/ieh-jkdre9vx/research-to-action/

10. Useful tools
 Tableau - Windows-only software for creating colourful
data visualisations
http://www.tableausoftware.com/public/
 Google Fusion Tables – Upload your
data, visualize&collaborate
http://www.google.com/fusiontables/Home/
 Google charts (can be animated)
 Gapminder – Upload data, interactive charts
http://www.gapminder.org/upload-data/
 Visual.ly – a community for sharing infographics

11. Hands on exercise
 Select a couple of the tools listed above
 Modify existing visualizations or create
your own with your data and info
 Share and re-use the object created using
other social media platforms

12. Credits
 Julia Reich - Infographics & Data
Visualization: Not Your Grandmother’s Pie
Chart
 Betty Allen - Presenting Complex Data
Visually
 Tactical Tech - Visualizing Information for
Advocacy
 KSToolkit