oo Visual Communication Assignment
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Summer 2014 Techincal Writing
Courtney Evans @029644291

Memorandum

To: Fall 2014 Technical Writing students

From: Courtney Evans @02644291

Subject: Visual Communication Assignment

Date: July 21, 2014

Introduction

All students in the fall technical writing course at Howard University are required to learn about visual communications. In order to gain a better understanding, I will be providing you with tips and other useful information. The purpose of this memo is to discuss the proper use and integration of visual aids and designs in text.

Visual Aids
Visual aids can help you understand and reach objectives by providing visual emphasis on what is being said. They emphasize focal points and convey information using graphics to facilitate understanding. Psychologist Jerome Bruner of New York University notes in Power of Visual Communication (2004), “people remember ten percent of what they hear and twenty percent of what they read, but about eighty percent of what they see and do.” Visual aids are useful because they help you to be able to grasp your audience’s attention.

Designing Visual Aids
According to the McGraw-Hill Publishing Company (2004), there are six guidelines to adhere by to ensure you design effective visual aids.

1. Plan and Prepare Visuals Aids in Advance
Visual Aids take time to develop and being prepared makes the process much more simple. Preparation also allows you to be able to practice a prepared speech and to become familiar with the aid. 2. Keep Visual Aids Simple
Your aids should be clear and concise. It is important that the key points and supporting points are addressed without displaying too much information and losing the audience’s attention.

3. Maximize Visual Aids
Size is an essential factor when it comes to the aesthetic of an aid. A well-organized and effective visual aid is useless if its audience cannot view it properly. Factors to keep in mind are the size of the room in which the presentation will be given as well as the size of the font. It is best to check and see if your aid will be legible from the farthest audience member. Keep in mind that using all caps actually makes words harder to read, and should only be used for titles or emphasis.

4. Utilize Fonts That Are Easy to Read
Decorative fonts should be avoided so that the font does not distract the audience and so that the text is legible. It is best to use plain fonts because they are clear and easy to read.

5. Limit the Number of Fonts used
Avoid using too many fonts. Using multiple fonts can add flair to your aid, but they end up being counteractive and cause the audience to lose focus. Use no more than two simple fonts to avoid distraction.

6. Maximize the Impact of color
When used effectively, color increases recognition by 78 percent. You must be careful when using color, because not all colors work well together. Use complementary colors. Avoid using too many colors, it may distract the audience and make your aid illegible.

In order to successfully integrate visual aids in a report you must keep the following in mind: * It is important to write appropriate titles and captions on your visuals. A title is the word or phrase given to a text to identify the subject and attract the reader’s attention. * Captions are a brief explanation to an article, illustration, or poster.
When placing a graphic in the text it is important to refer to the graphic as a grammatical part of the sentence. The graphics number and caption should be put below the graphic and centered left to right. * Make sure to introduce the visuals in your report before the reader encounters them. This gives the reader a better understanding of the visuals.

Gantt Chart
Figure 1.1 http://www.smartsheet.com/blog/gantt-chart-excel#.U9bsGVZNzWE

Gantt Charts are useful for any project where you want to visualize how long your project will take. Another advantage is that gantt charts provide the s the ability to see who is doing what and when they are doing it. This allows for better project planning by efficiently assigning tasks to people on your team and scheduling them according to their current workload. . Gantt charts help with the organization of daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. Also, Gantt charts can help simplify the flow of deliverables and activities’ due-dates.

Below an example of a Gantt chart I have made to show my assignment schedule for Summer 2014 Technical Writing course.

Projects | | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | | | | | | | Letters & Memos | | | | | | | | | | | Visual Communication | | | | | | | | | | | Social Media Report | | | | | | | | | | |

Figure 1.2 July 2014 Technical Writing Assignments

Pictograph

A pictograph can be described as a graph that uses picture symbols to convey the meaning of statistical/numerical information. Pictographs are a good way to display data because they are easy to read. These visual aids are often used with children since they are fun and easy to understand. A key that represents each term of the pictograph must be given in order to understand and display information properly.
Figure 1.3 shows the number of varieties of apples sold in the supermarket that month.

Figure 1.4 shows that Algebra 1 was the hardest class I took this summer. Math has always been difficult for me and this summer was no different. It is important to get help in course that you know will be difficult to succeed in.

Figure 1.6 Math Goodies

Multi-bar graph
A multiple bar graph compares two or more categories. A bar graph is a chart with rectangular bars with lengths proportional to the values that they represent. The bars may be horizontal or vertical. Bar graphs help us to see relationships quickly. However, bar graphs can be difficult to read accurately. Figure 1.6 stresses the individual sales of each brand as compared to the others.

Figure 1.7

Pie Chart
Pie charts are best used to compare the parts of a whole. The pie chart or circle graph is normally divided into sectors to show the different amounts. Together, the sectors create a full circle. Figure 1.7 shows each sector of the circle graph is in the same proportion to the whole circle as the number of sales for that industry is to the entire amount of sales from the table.

Misleading Charts

Center Removal The center of pie charts are often removed or covered up for the sake of visual aesthetic. This can cause a pie chart to be misleading because the viewer will not know where the center of the chart is located.

Scaling
When scaling a chart, people tend to use more numbers than necessary to show an increase or decrease in data. Ex. Figure 1.8

Figure 1.8 shows a deceptive graph where the values of the labels are not proportional to the lengths of the bars. (Forbes 2012)

Missing Information
Untitled graphs, missing appropriate labels, and important information not being depicted on the graph all can cause the audience to misinterpret the graph. And cause viewers to make false assumptions. Ex Figure 1.9

Figure 1.9 is misleading because the vertical axis does not start at 0. (BBC 2010)

Sizing
When designing visual aids such as pie charts, it is important to remember to accurately size each section. If a piece of the pie is not accurately illustrated, the viewer may become confused. For instance, if two sections equate to half of the pie, they must be illustrated to depict such.

Information Graphics

An Information graphic is a visual that provides information by using charts, pictures, maps, graphs and other graphics to display data. These graphics are intended to present complex material quickly and clearly to make it easy for the viewer to comprehend. They can improve the thought process by utilizing graphics to enhance the human visual system’s ability to see patterns and trends. Below are six tips for designing a good information graphic. 1. Color: Limit the amount of colors you use to about five or six. They should be used sparingly to highlight important information 2. Layout: Present Content in a way that guides readers through a logical order. 3. Illustration: Illustration should match the tone and subject matter. The graphic should only include content that enhances the visual. 4. Data: Don’t overwhelm the reader while too much information and multiple graphs. 5. Proportion: Make sure items are appropriately sized. 6. Simplicity: Avoid unnecessary design.

David McCandless, an information designer, states, “Something quite magical about visual information is it’s effortless. It literally just pulls you in, and if you’re navigating through a dense information jungle, a beautiful graphic is a relief” (Ted). www.ted.com/

For more information visit : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC0GmkRHAms

Figure 2.0 Our Favorite Drugs 2009

Figure 2.0 shows Information graphic about “Our Favorite Drugs.” With the information gathered I find that on the eastern side of the region there is more balance regarding favorite drug usage. I find it surprising that majority of west islanders prefer using methamphetamines to marijuana.

As you move further south you see a rise in cocaine usage. It is not surprise that Floridians, Puerto Rican and Virgin Islanders use cocaine more than any other drug. Although marijuana has been legal in the state of California for years, Tri-state residents prefer mary-jane more than west coasters.
The graphic also shares information about how in 2007 thirteen percent of all arrests made were drug related.

Figure 2.0 Greatest of All Time KB vs MJ

Figure 2.0 shows a comparative graphic between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. In the basketball world it is highly debated if Kobe can ever be considered as good as Michael Jordan. Some differences and similarities noted in the graphic are as followed: * MJ has one more championship than Kobe * Kobe has never been Defensive Player or Rookie of the year * Both Michael and Kobe are the same height * Both were sponsored by Nike * Michael Jordan overall has more awards that Kobe Bryant

I have provided many tips and useful information for you to become successful in visual communicating while taking Technical Writing at Howard University and overall. With this information you should be comfortable with creating and understanding graphs, charts, visual aids and information graphics.

References

Visual Aids http://www.hp.com/large/ipg/assets/bus-solutions/power-of-visual-communication.pdf Figure 1.1 http://www.smartsheet.com/blog/gantt-chart-excel#.U9bsGVZNzWE Figure 1.2 http://www.icoachmath.com/math_dictionary/pictograph.html Figure 1.6 & 1.7 http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/graphs/compare_graphs.html Figure 1.8 http://www.forbes.com/sites/naomirobbins/2011/11/17/whats-wrong-with-this-graph/ Figure 1.9 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/statistics/representingdata2rev5.shtml Ted Talks http://www.ted.com/talks/david_mccandless_the_beauty_of_data_visualization?language=en Information Graphics http://magazine.good.is/infographics/transparency-americas-problem-drugs http://www.totalprosports.com/2010/08/23/the-greatest-of-all-time-kobe-bryant-vs-michael-jordan-infographic/