Simple Tables to Graphs

Through this assignment, I’ve learned that conveying the information of numbers through a simple table is not the most effective way the majority of the time. Today, we had our group presentations for Geoff, and as expected everyone incorporated some type of “info graphic” whether in Prezi or PowerPoint. The most interesting part was seeing how other groups interpreted the data and how they choose to portray it. Geoff was a fan to say the least. Plain numbers can bore and audience to the point where they have no interest in what they mean. However, by using an info graphic it changes everything.

I searched through the Roger Williams webpage for some sort of relevant data. I decided to use the information about students at our university. After creating a simple table, I used Excel to create the two generic graphs and charts, one being a bar graph and the other a pie chart. While the graph and chart successfully tell the story of the numbers, it seems that even these graphs and charts we make today have almost turned into the numbers we are use to seeing. In other words, we have become numb to seeing data presented as plain numbers, and now we have seen so many graphs and charts we are becoming numb to these as well.

In my marketing advertising class, we are learning how to create a successful advertisement in the most effective way possible. One of the main facets of an effective advertisement is that it tells a story. Tables, graphs, and charts tell a story, but not in an exciting way to say the least. For the info graphic that I used, it has the ability to convey a story to everyone, however they want to interpret the data. Another facet is being unexpected. This is what I think relates most to the info graphics. When a slide pops up for a presentation and you see a plain graph, nothing is exciting about it to grab your attention. On the other hand, when an info graphic pops up, it catches your eye and you try and decipher the meaning of it. By being unexpected it creates a stronger memory in our minds, we are more apt to remember that info graphic and the information it provided.

Looking at all of the visual representations of data that I created, someone might say, so what, they all say the same thing in the end. I think of it this way, if I was an student on a tour of Roger Williams and I have visited many schools already, I would not think that something unexpected would show up in the brochure that is handed out. When I open it up, I see something that makes Roger Williams different from everyone else, and info graphic representing the amount and students as well as what their role is at this school.

Going forward, I think that using info graphics to convey data should always be considered first before using the generic visuals that we are used to using. 

Rice Krispy Treats Directions

“How-to” Graphic: Rice Krispy Treats

Trying to create this “How-to” graphic on making Rice Krispy Treats was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. First, I had to look up the directions on how to make the treats before starting anything, since I have never made them myself. After reading up on Rice Krispy’s 101, I went straight to the pen and paper. I wrote a list of all of the ingredients and appliances needed. Next to each item on the list, I “attempted” to draw it as best as I could. I soon began to realize that my drawings were not the best, and also that drawing these images over and over would be a tedious task. Back to the computer I went, and opened the program “Paint”, something that I had become very familiar with when I was younger fooling around on the home computer. Remembering that no words can be used, I found the most generic pictures of each item on my list and began making the directions. I began to challenge myself by trying to make the directions as detailed yet clear as possible. I would catch myself at times putting down an image and moving on to the next step, however, the image on the page made sense in my head but would not make sense to someone who does not know how to make the treats.

I began with the ingredients and appliances step, including a picture of each in the box. Running into my first issue began with the second step. The recipe called for 3 tablespoons of butter. Without being able to use words, I thought the best way to convey this step would be to have 3 spoons next to the butter indicating that the recipe called for 3 spoons of butter.

After completing my directions of 8 steps, I put it to the test. I asked a few people to look over my directions and see if they could follow them and would be able to make the Rice Krispy Treats based on what I had given them. This might have been an unfair test, since all my roommates not only understand English but did not want to be bothered by my attempt to involve them.

Looking back on making the “How-to” graphic it made me realize how easy and helpful these types of directions can be. Not only for people who speak different languages, but also for people who may not understand the terminology being used in normal descriptive directions. For example, someone reading directions on how to put a computer together may not understand where something as simple as where the USB cord can be plugged in. However, with a simple image and graphic of the USB symbol, anyone would be able to figure it out. This also goes to show how symbols and images can be more useful than words. This is something that we will need to keep in mind while we are creating our presentation for Geoff.