© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 11 - 1 Communicating Information Through Visuals

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8e Chapter 11 - 1

Communicating Communicating Information Through Information Through

VisualsVisuals


The Visual AdvantageThe Visual Advantage

• Bring your message to life

• Connect with your readers

• Convey effective messages

• Attract and hold attention


Create Visuals FirstCreate Visuals First

• Analyze research data

• Develop a story line

• Save composition time


5 C’s of Visual Design5 C’s of Visual Design

• Clear

• Complete

• Concise

• Connected

• Compelling


Balance Words and Balance Words and VisualsVisuals

• The number of visuals

• The placement of visuals

• The pace of visuals


Selecting the Right Selecting the Right VisualsVisuals

• Data

• Information

• Concepts

• Ideas


The Representation of The Representation of DataData

Table

Line Chart,Bar Chart

Pie Chart

Scatter Chart,Bubble Chart

Present individual, exact values

Show trends or relationships over timeCompare two or more sets of data

Frequency or distribution of parts in a whole

Compare entities vs. two or three variables


Information, Information, Concepts, and IdeasConcepts, and Ideas

Map

Flowchart,Diagram

Drawing

Photograph

Animation, Video

Show geographic relationships/comparisons

Illustrate processes or procedures

Show conceptual or spatial relationships

Show realistic spatial relationships

Show processes, transformations in action


Preparing Data TablesPreparing Data Tables

• Use common, clearly identified units

• Maintain unity in columns

• Label column headings

• Separate rows and columns

• Provide totals or averages

• Document data sources


The Parts of a TableThe Parts of a Table

Stub head Subhead

SingleColumn

Head

SingleColumn

Head

Row headRow head Subhead Subhead

Total

XXX

XXXXXX

XXX

XX

XXXX

XX

XX

XXXX

XX

Subhead

XXX

XX XX

XXX

Multicolumn Head*

Source: (In the same format as a text footnote).*Footnote (for explanation of elements in the table).


Using Line Using Line and Surface Chartsand Surface Charts

• Trends

• Variables

• Relationships


Using Bar ChartsUsing Bar Charts

• Compare items

• Show changes

• Indicate relationships

• Show relative sizes


Using PictogramsUsing Pictograms

• Novelty impact

• Visual appeal


Timeline ChartsTimeline Charts

• Time schedules

• Milestones

• Completed tasks

• Uncompleted tasks


Using Pie ChartsUsing Pie Charts

• Limit the number of slices

• Arrange slices clockwise

• Use a variety of colors

• Show numbers or percentages


Charting Business Charting Business

Entities and VariablesEntities and Variables• Scatter diagrams

– Several entities

– Two variables

• Bubble diagrams

– Several entities

– Three


Information, Information, Concepts, and IdeasConcepts, and Ideas

• Organization charts– Positions– Units– Functions

• Flow charts– Processes– Procedures– Sequences


Using MapsUsing Maps

• Geographic areas

• Regional differences

• Key markets


Other Business GraphicsOther Business Graphics

• Drawings and diagrams– Functions– Operations– Selected details

• Photographic images– Realism– Visual appeal– Ethical concerns


Working With Working With PhotographsPhotographs

• Learn to use image processing tools

• Match file types and applications

• Stress communication value

• Be aware of copyrights

• Obtain model release forms


Animation and VideoAnimation and Video

• Visual Impact– Shapes and text– Computer animation– Digital video


Designing Visuals for Designing Visuals for Reports and Reports and

PresentationsPresentations• Using graphic design principles

• Integrating text and visuals

• Checking over visuals


Working with ComputersWorking with Computers

• Advantages– Speed– Accuracy– Versatility

• Challenges– Training– Artistic skills– Time requirements


Computer GraphicsComputer Graphics

• Continuity

• Contrast

• Emphasis

• Simplicity

• Experience


Integrate Text Integrate Text and Graphicsand Graphics

• Clear introductions

• Careful placement

• Effective titles and legends


Checking Visual AidsChecking Visual Aids

• Honesty

• Documentation

• Typography

• Coloring

• Alignment

• Necessity

• Accuracy

Documents

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 11 - 1 Communicating Information Through Visuals