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.
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
Editor's Notes
FarmingFirst - visual representation of the statistics that underlie the urgent need to invest in rural women. It consists of 17 individually-designed graphics, each of which tells a part of this important story. Each graphic can be Tweeted and/or embedded for use in presentations or blog posts. The infographic has been launched in parallel with the ongoing UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and International Women’s Day on 8th March.Simply Business uses infographics to visualize a process AND make use of existing contents, repackaged together from different sources
REMEMBER!• Information design tells a story with pictures.It’s NOT ONLY about making something aesthetically pleasing, or about branding, style or making a glossy product… …It’s about making your research data:CLEARCOMPELLING and data can only speak if you ask it a question, so work out…WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM YOUR DATA and WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW
Free downloadable manual from tacticaltech.org that offers an introduction to information design.
Fusion tables – upload your data (Ex. coffee production), merge with country boundaries, info window content