How to Turn Data Into Compelling Visual Presentations

Communicating data and the story of what that data means has become increasingly important in recent years. As attention spans decrease and the amounts of quantitative information increase, it is crucial to be able to visualize your data for your audiences in the most clear and effective ways possible. A chart that takes 10 seconds to understand, compared to one that takes only 2 seconds, could mean the difference between a sale and no sale.

Your data is only as powerful as your visual presentation of it.

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals and best practices of data visualization techniques, as well as hands-on approaches to using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to present your data in a variety of formats.

You will complete multiple exercises and create various types of visualizations and charts throughout the course. You will also work individually and in groups to analyze, redesign, and improve poorly designed charts that are provided.

• Understand basic graphic design principles and how audiences process information visually
• Learn how to make use of emphasis, color, layout, and typography to maximize the clarity of your messages
• Become familiar with available tools/techniques for data visualization
• Understand the differences between “Glanceable” and “Referenceable” visualizations and how to harness the power of each
• Increase the impact and strength of your messages by choosing the most effective chart for a given data set and story in various circumstances
• Learn the one color that you should make use of in every visualization, the one default element that should be removed from every chart, how legends can confuse your audience, why a bar is nearly always better than a pie, and common design mistakes that distort your data and damage your credibility  

• The history and current landscape of information and data design 
• Basic principles of graphic, information, and layout design 
• “Chart Junk” and how to remove it to improve clarity
• Basic charts such as pies, columns, bars, lines, and variations of these 
• Advanced charts such as scatters, bubbles, histograms, bullet graphs, combos, and Paretos
• Specialty charts including units, tree maps, and proportional shapes
• How to make use of trend lines, reference bands, annotations, and direct labeling
• When to use Excel® and PowerPoint® to create tables, how to properly design them, and how to apply conditional formatting to create heat maps and table lenses
• Tricks, tips, and techniques for overcoming Excel and PowerPoint limitations and creating proper workflows

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Importance and Relationship of Data and Visualization
• Identify the Factors That Make Data Visualizations Relatable to an Audience’s Interests and Needs
• Explore the Different Excel^® Chart Types in Relaying Information
• Describe Techniques Involved in Telling Your Story When Creating Data Visualizations
• List the Justifications for Using One Type of Visual Chart over Another
• Understand Functions within PowerPoint^® and Excel^® to Enhance Your Presentations

Data and Visualization

• Understand the Principles of Data Visualization
• Determine the Components That Make a Good Visualization
• Distinguish between Compelling and Confusing Data Visualization
• Interpret How Data Relates to Your Audience

Most Commonly Used Charts

• Identify the Eight Most Used Charts
• Determine the Benefits and Limitations of These Charts
• Create Four of the Commonly Used Charts

Design and Formatting 1

• Develop an Understanding of Visual Perception and How It Relates to the Audience
• Recognize the Importance of Color
• Compare and Contract Color Choices When Creating Data Visualizations
• Determine the Correct Typography to Use in Labeling and Titling Charts

Chart Refresh 1

• Identify Chart Junk and Learn How to Remove It to Create More Effective Visuals
• Compare and Contrast Various Chart Types
• Choose the Most Effective Chart Type That Best Communicates the Data Story Being Told
• Interpret Basic Graphic Design Principles and Understand How Audiences Process Information Visually

Specialty Charts

• Identify Specialty Charts and When to Use Them
• Determine the Benefits and Limitations of These Charts

Design and Formatting 2

• Develop an Understanding of How Proportional Shapes and Dense Data Are Used to Visualize Comparisons
• Recognize the Importance of Ordering Data
• Identify When to Use Tables Instead of Charts
• Determine the Best Practices for Table Designs
• Automatically Add Design Using Conditional Formatting

Chart Refresh 2

• Identify Chart Junk and Learn How to Remove It to Create More Effective Visuals
• Compare and Contrast Various Chart Types
• Choose the Most Effective Chart Type That Best Communicates the Data Story Being Told
• Interpret Basic Graphic Design Principles and Understand How Audiences Process Information Visually

PowerPoint^® and Excel^®

• Understand How PowerPoint^® Integrates with Excel^®
• Apply Advanced Techniques When Using Microsoft^® Products
• Use a Variety of Functions within PowerPoint^® and Excel^® to Enhance the Presentation of Your Data

Design Missteps and Tips and Tricks

• Recognize Common Design Missteps and How to Correct Them
• Utilize a Variety of Tips and Tricks That Can Be Utilized to Maximize the Design of Your Charts and Tables

Design Your Charts

• Apply the Skills Learned to Create Three Charts

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF