Master data visualizations
Impact of including headings and introductions in technical presentations
The use of headings and introductions in technical presentations is important in the sense that it helps in preparing the readers or rather the audience on what is expected to be covered in the presentation. For instance, from the introduction part of the presentation, the reader is able to know the scope of the whole presentation. On the other hand, when it comes to headings, this helps in organizing the presentation and giving it flow (Pover, 2016).
Importance of chart labeling, captions, references, and footnotes
In presentations, charts are usually labeled either on top of them or at the bottom. The label comprises things such as the title of the chart or at times the source. When the source is used, this label is usually placed below the chart. The importance of labeling charts, in this case, is that it helps in showing what the visualization is all about. By only reading at the label that may comprise the title of the chart, the reader is able to interpret the information summarized in the provided chart (Kirk, 2012). Nevertheless, the instances where chart labels are required is never specific, though it is advisable that all charts regardless of whether they are captured in a report or a presentation, should be labeled.
On the other hand, there is also the use of references. This usually comes on the last page of a presentation or a report. References usually detail the information sources of the report. In this section, the writer outlines the books, newspapers, and journals that were applied in creating the report. Therefore, the importance of the references in writings and presentations is that they provide the reader with a point where they can refer to in case they need more details about the work. However, the specific instance when references should be used is in reports and research work. Simple writings do not have to include references.
Last but not least, there is the footnotes. These are sources that are cited at the end of every page. These sources also act as references to the work presented. The importance of the use of footnotes is that it makes it easier for the reader to attach the readings to the respective sources.
Typography and the importance of the appearance of text
Typography refers to the art of arranging letters along with texts in a manner that makes them legible, clear as well as visually appealing to the eyes of the reader. This is usually attained through the use of appearance, structure and the common technique being the font style, all of which elicit emotions, while at the same time, conveying specific information.
The importance of the appearance of text is that it helps in attracting the readers. When the font is clear and bold enough, it will make it easier for the readers to read. Therefore, the correct choice of font, text size, along with color is important in attracting the target audience. Apart from that, the other importance of text appearance is that it may help in conveying certain feelings or moods. The choice of typeface is what basically determines how the content is understood (Iliinsky, & Steele, 2011).
Balance between functional decorations and optimizing data legibility in charts, including, Complementary colors, Analogous colors and Triadic colors
Charts may employ the use of functional decorations for them to look appealing to the audience. In this case, there can be the incorporation of complementary colors, analogous colors along with triadic colors. Complementary colors, which are colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel, are known to be useful in making things stand out. However, too much use of them is really bad for text.
On the other hand, there is the analogous colors. This entails colors that are next to each other in the color wheel. In this case, there is the use of at least three colors, one color is used to dominate, the second color is used to support while the third color is used as an accent.
Triadic colors, as the name suggests, uses three main colors. One color is used to dominate while the other two colors are used for accent.
Presentation layout, arrangement, and sizing
The layout of a presentation comprises three main elements and these are the introduction, body, and conclusion. The arrangement and sizing is in such a way that the introductory paragraphs come before the body paragraphs, and this is usually 10% of the overall work. The body paragraphs then come in after the introductory paragraph, and the conclusion paragraph comes in last. The size of the introduction and conclusion are the same (Dumbill, Croll, Steele, Loukides, & Slocum, 2012).
References
Dumbill, E., Croll, A., Steele, J., Loukides, M. K., & Slocum, M. (2012). Planning for
big data.
Iliinsky, N. P. N., & Steele, J. (2011). Designing data visualizations. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly.
Kirk, A. (2012). Data visualization: A successful design process: a structured design
approach to equip you with the knowledge of how to successfully accomplish any data visualization challenge efficiently and effectively. Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub.
Pover, K. (2016). Mastering QlikView data visualization: Take your QlikView skills to the
next level and master the art of creating visual data analysis for real business needs. Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing.