11

Designing VisualsDesigning Visuals

Tables to organize lists of dataTables to organize lists of data Graphs / Charts to show relationshipsGraphs / Charts to show relationships Illustrations to show product or flowIllustrations to show product or flow

The meshing of words with images

22

TablesTables

Present detailed facts in Present detailed facts in a concise, readable forma concise, readable form

Avoid needless Avoid needless repetition of wordsrepetition of words

Help reader find specific Help reader find specific facts quicklyfacts quickly

Discuss table in textDiscuss table in text

Time(hour)

midnight2:004:006:008:00

10:00noon2:004:006:008:00

10:00

Normal(mg/dl*)

100.393.688.2

100.5138.6102.4

93.8132.3103.8

93.6127.8109.2

Diabetic(mg/dl)

175.8165.7159.4

72.1271.0224.6161.8242.7219.4152.6227.1221.3

Table 1. Blood glucose levels [Carlson, 1982].

* decaliters/milligram

33

To create effective tables:To create effective tables:

Number them in order of presentation (Table 1, Number them in order of presentation (Table 1, Table 2, etc.).Table 2, etc.).

Title all tables (Table 1: Comparison of Annual Wages).Title all tables (Table 1: Comparison of Annual Wages).

Place tables soon after mentioned in text.Place tables soon after mentioned in text.

Do not insert table before mentioned in text.Do not insert table before mentioned in text.

Use introductory lead-ins to tables.Use introductory lead-ins to tables.

Provide follow-up explanations to tables, explaining the Provide follow-up explanations to tables, explaining the significance.significance.

Provide headings for all columns.Provide headings for all columns.

44

To create effective tables:To create effective tables:

Abbreviate terms to size columns appropriately.Abbreviate terms to size columns appropriately.

Do not crowd tables on a page.Do not crowd tables on a page.

Separate columns with ample white space for easy Separate columns with ample white space for easy readability.readability.

Show omissions with ellipses ( . . .) or hyphens/ Show omissions with ellipses ( . . .) or hyphens/ dashes ( - - - )dashes ( - - - )

Use numbers consistently (either ½ or .5)Use numbers consistently (either ½ or .5)

Write “cont.” if a table spans more than one page.Write “cont.” if a table spans more than one page.

55

Tables ExampleTables Example

66

Graphs and ChartsGraphs and Charts

Convert numbers and Convert numbers and words into shapes that words into shapes that are easy to interpret and are easy to interpret and comparecompare

Types includeTypes include

Bar graphsBar graphs

Line graphsLine graphs

Pie chartsPie charts

77

Line Graphs: Demonstrate changes in Line Graphs: Demonstrate changes in quantitative data over timequantitative data over time

• Use a grid

• Time along the bottom

• Place dots along the grid to show time segments

• Connect the dots

Figure 11. Blood glucose levels for normal individual and diabetic [Carlson, 1982].

Hour

12:00 6:00 am 12:00 6:00 pm 12:00

BloodGlucoseLevel(mg/dl)

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

BreakfastLunch Dinner

Normal

Diabetic

88

Tables vs GraphsTables vs Graphs

Time(hour)

midnight2:004:006:008:00

10:00noon2:004:006:008:00

10:00

Normal(mg/dl*)

100.393.688.2

100.5138.6102.4

93.8132.3103.8

93.6127.8109.2

Diabetic(mg/dl)

175.8165.7159.4

72.1271.0224.6161.8242.7219.4152.6227.1221.3

Table 2. Blood glucose levels [Carlson, 1982].

* decaliters/milligram

Figure 11. Blood glucose levels for normal individual and diabetic [Carlson, 1982].

Hour

12:00 6:00 am 12:00 6:00 pm 12:00

BloodGlucoseLevel(mg/dl)

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

BreakfastLunch Dinner

Normal

Diabetic

99

Bar Graphs: Compare ItemsBar Graphs: Compare Items

Compare related itemsCompare related items

Illustrate changes in data over timeIllustrate changes in data over time

Show segments as parts of wholesShow segments as parts of wholes

May be vertical, horizontal, grouped, May be vertical, horizontal, grouped, or segmented barsor segmented bars

Avoid showing too much Avoid showing too much information (produces clutter and information (produces clutter and confusion)confusion)

Length of bars should be Length of bars should be proportionalproportional

Dollars or percents should start Dollars or percents should start at zero.at zero.Figure 1. Comparison of 2005 Rainfall to Average

1010

Pie Chart: Visualize a whole unit and the Pie Chart: Visualize a whole unit and the proportion of its componentsproportion of its components

Use four to eight segments for best Use four to eight segments for best resultsresults

Group small portions into one Group small portions into one wedge called “Other.”wedge called “Other.”

Distinguish wedges with color, Distinguish wedges with color, shading, or crosshatching.shading, or crosshatching.

Keep all labels horizontal.Keep all labels horizontal.

Strongly Agree18%

Agree13%

No Opinion

3%

Strongly Disagree

38%

Disagree28%

1111

Flow chartsFlow charts

Display a process or procedureDisplay a process or procedure

Use standard symbolsUse standard symbols

1212

To create effective figures:To create effective figures:

Number the figures in order of presentation (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).Number the figures in order of presentation (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).

Title each figure (Figure 1: Percentages of Work Performed).Title each figure (Figure 1: Percentages of Work Performed).

Preface each figure with an introductory lead-in.Preface each figure with an introductory lead-in.

Do not use a figure until mentioned in the text.Do not use a figure until mentioned in the text.

Present the figure as soon as mentioned.Present the figure as soon as mentioned.

Explain the figure’s importance.Explain the figure’s importance.

Label the figure’s components (x- and y-axes, for example).Label the figure’s components (x- and y-axes, for example).

Provide a legend when necessary.Provide a legend when necessary.

Define any abbreviations.Define any abbreviations.

Cite sources of information as needed. Cite sources of information as needed.

Do not crowd figures on a page.Do not crowd figures on a page.

Size the figures appropriately for readability.Size the figures appropriately for readability.

1313

Graphic IllustrationsGraphic Illustrations

Photograph, drawing, or diagram to enhance comprehension

Introduce and explain the illustration in the text

Make sure your text is consistent with your illustration

1414

Photographs provide realismPhotographs provide realism

Figure 2. Space Shuttle Challenger, from about 59 seconds to 60 seconds into launch (January 28, 1986). On the right rocket, flame first becomes visible and then impinges on tank.

59 seconds

59.5 seconds

60 seconds

1515

Drawings provide control over detailDrawings provide control over detail

Used to describe a mechanism

1616

Diagrams provide ability to show flow of Diagrams provide ability to show flow of variable through a system or a processvariable through a system or a process

Figure 8. Schematic of test stand for evaluating components of an air conditioner design.

1717

When you design an illustration….When you design an illustration….

Determine the Determine the eventsevents and and objectsobjects in the in the processprocess

Determine the relationship between each event Determine the relationship between each event or object or object

Create a means to represent the events and Create a means to represent the events and relationships (geometric shapes, sketches, relationships (geometric shapes, sketches, arrows, etc.) arrows, etc.)

Draw the diagramDraw the diagram

Write text that introduces the process and Write text that introduces the process and explains the stages of the process. Make sure explains the stages of the process. Make sure the text matches the diagram. the text matches the diagram.

1818

Avoid illustrations that are too complex Avoid illustrations that are too complex for the textfor the text

Figure 5. Schematic of thermalstorage system.

RECEIVER

FLASHTANK

HPHTR

DEAR-ATOR

HOTWELL

TSSG

TURBINE

TSU

DSPH

TSH

FT

The thermal storage system stores heat in a huge, steel-walled tank. Steam from the solar receiver passes through heat exchangersto heat the thermal oil, which is pumped into the tank. The tank then provides energy to run a steam generator to produce electricity. A schematic of this system is shown in Figure 5.

1919

The precision of the illustrations should reflect The precision of the illustrations should reflect the precision of the textthe precision of the text

The thermal storage system, shown in Figure 6, stores heat in a huge, steel-walled tank. Steam from the solar receiver heats a thermal oil, which is pumped into the tank. The tank then provides energy to run a steam generator to produce electricity.

Figure 6. Schematic of thermal storage system for the solar power plant.

steamgenerator

650°F 580°F

425°F435°F

solarreceiver

575°F

425°F

530°F

250°F

ThermalTank

HeatExchanger

HeatExchanger

2020

Inconsistencies between text and images Inconsistencies between text and images disrupt flowdisrupt flow

The testing hardware of the rocket shown in Figure 8 has five main components: camera, digitizer, computer, I/O interface, and mechanical interface. Commands are generated by the computer, then passed through the I/O interface to the mechanized interface where the keyboard of the ICU is operated. The display of the ICU is read with a television camera and then digitized. This information is then manipulated by the computer to direct the next command.

PRINTERCONTROLTERMINAL

COMPUTERDIGITIZER

CAMERA

ELECTRO-MECHANICALINTERFACE

ROCKET

Figure 8. Testing hardware.

2121

Make sure your text is consistent with Make sure your text is consistent with the diagramthe diagram

Our system for testing the launch controls of the rocket consists of four main parts: computer, electro-mechanical interface, camera, and digitizer. In this system (shown in Figure 9), the computer generates test commands to the rocket through the electro-mechanical interface. The test results are read with a television camera, and then digitized. The computer receives the information from the digitizer, and then directs the next test command.

Figure 9. System to test launch controls for rocket.

CameraDigitizer

Computer

Electro-MechanicalInterface

1 2

34

Rocket

2222

Student Sample -- PhotographStudent Sample -- PhotographMicro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS)

2323

Student Sample -- DiagramStudent Sample -- Diagram

2424

Motion Capture Diagram by StudentMotion Capture Diagram by Student

2525

The Car Umbrella is a light-weight, new-age protective cover for any car, truck or The Car Umbrella is a light-weight, new-age protective cover for any car, truck or SUV. The fitted, foldable protective cover rolls up with a push of a button into a SUV. The fitted, foldable protective cover rolls up with a push of a button into a galvanized steel canister. The Car Umbrella, which attaches to the rear bumper, galvanized steel canister. The Car Umbrella, which attaches to the rear bumper, can be easily released and wound in and out of the canister via remote control. can be easily released and wound in and out of the canister via remote control. (See Figure 3) (See Figure 3)

Illustration – Show an Item in UseIllustration – Show an Item in Use

When you push a button, the car cover is rolled in or out of the canister.

Figure 3. The Car Cover outside of the canister.