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.