using visuals
DESCRIPTION
Overview of visuals used in the workplace. Offers tips for better use of visuals in your communicationTRANSCRIPT
KAREN O’HARA
MARCH, 2015
USING VISUALS
USING GRAPHICS & VISUALS
BEGIN WITH PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
•Balance•Contrast•Consistency (Repetition)
•Alignment•Grouping (Proximity)
Gerson, S. J., & Gerson, S. M. (2010). Workplace writing: Planning, packaging, and perfecting communication. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Name that graphic!
Name that graphic!
Name that graphic!
Name that graphic!
Name that graphic!
Name that graphic!
They should…
• tell a simple story
• reinforce written text (not replace it)
• be labeled & placed properly
• be ethical
FOUR GUIDELINES FOR VISUALS
What story does this graphic tell?
How to Zombie-Proof Your Shed
TELLING A SIMPLE STORY
REINFORCING WRITTEN TEXT
LABELED AND PLACED PROPERLY
ETHICAL
MISLEADING REALISTIC
Hollywood Trump Showboat Empress Hammond
Majestic Star
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100 94.4 93.9 93.4 93.1 92.8
http://gizmodo.com/how-to-lie-with-data-visualization-1563576606
Cumulative graphs (number of visitors, revenue, etc.)
OTHER WAYS TO “LIE WITH DATA VISUALIZATION”
http://gizmodo.com/how-to-lie-with-data-visualization-1563576606
Ignoring conventions
OTHER WAYS TO “LIE WITH DATA VISUALIZATION”
FUN WITH DATA VISUALIZATION
Tomas Nilsson’s Little Red Riding Hood: http://vimeo.com/3514904
https://s3.amazonaws.com/m.helpscout.net/blog/2013/jul/color-emotion.jpgA WORD ABOUT COLOR
INFOGRAPHICS
PHOTOGRAPHS, ILLUSTRATIONS, & SCREENSHOTS
• Tell a story
• Include people when possible
• Use the Rule of Thirds (focal point touches top third of scene)
• Minimize background clutter
Pros/cons of using photos?
TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHS
Used to simplify, create focus, enable labeling, create symbols/signposts
Types:
• Line drawings• Maps• Icons, clip art
Pros/cons of using illustrations?
ILLUSTRATIONS
Many browsers & OS have screenshot utilities built in (example: Win7 Snipping Tool)
The old-school way to take screenshots:
PC: Press Print Screen to copy entire screen to clipboard (or ALT + Print Screen for active window.) Then paste into a doc or image editing program. Crop to suit your needs.
Mac: Press Command-Shift-3 at same time. Picture appears on desktop. Edit as needed.
SCREENSHOTS (SCREEN CAPTURES)
http://cdn.morguefile.com/imageData/public/files/s/Schick/10/l/1349749654wg5sz.jpg
Flickr Creative Commons (http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/)
FreeImages (http://www.freeimages.com)
Stokpic (http://www.stokpic.com)
IconsPedia (http://www.iconspedia.com/)
Note: PowerPoint or Word clip art is free to use and DOES NOT need citation unless itis used outside of the program.
SOME FREE IMAGE RESOURCES(LICENSE & USAGE RESTRICTIONS APPLY)
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Visit my Workplace Writing Blog
PICTURE THIS!