Visual Ways of Presenting Data
In today's session we were given a table (cf. table below). Our tasks was to visualize the data creating two different diagrams.
I decided to create a bar chart (cf. Fig. 1) and a pie chart (cf. Fig 2).
In my opinion, it is absolutely important that information visualized in diagrams is easily accessible. For this reason, I decided to choose the simple form of a bar chart (cf. fig. 1). The y axis indicates the per capita consumption of chocolate in kilograms per year; the x axis shows the different countries. Hence, the horizontal bars represent the different amounts of chocolate consumption. As the bars vary in height, this type of diagram allows comparing the countries quickly. Additionally, I added the concrete figures. That way, the diagram also contains exact information. As regards design, I decided to create the bar chart without any distracting visual features. Yet, the use of different colors supports the visual clarity and accessibility of data.
In my opinion, it is absolutely important that information visualized in diagrams is easily accessible. For this reason, I decided to choose the simple form of a bar chart (cf. fig. 1). The y axis indicates the per capita consumption of chocolate in kilograms per year; the x axis shows the different countries. Hence, the horizontal bars represent the different amounts of chocolate consumption. As the bars vary in height, this type of diagram allows comparing the countries quickly. Additionally, I added the concrete figures. That way, the diagram also contains exact information. As regards design, I decided to create the bar chart without any distracting visual features. Yet, the use of different colors supports the visual clarity and accessibility of data.
The pie chart (cf. Fig. 2) shows how the total consumption of chocolate in all countries per year, i.e. 52.9 kg, is divided up. The different segments represent the per capita consumption of chocolate in kilograms per year in the different countries. For the purpose of accuracy, I labeled the different segments with the name of the countries, the consumption of chocolate in kilograms as well as the percentage of the consumption. In my opinion, a legend indicating the different countries would not be sufficient. Such a legend would not contribute to the clear and accessible visualization of data. The pie chart would be illegible as it is rather complex due to the numerous countries integrated in the chart. Yet, the exact labeling of the pie chart instead of a legend allows a quick comparison of the different countries. The use of different colors supports the visual clarity and accessibility of data.
As regards the colors, I decided to use colors which correspond to the overall design of my website as well as to the content of the diagrams, chocolate. Thus, I choose warm colors, i.e. different shades of red and brown.
I created the charts using PowerPoint. Here you can download the PowerPoint-file.
chocolatediagrams.pptx | |
File Size: | 89 kb |
File Type: | pptx |