How do you use charts to create effective messages?

1 Choose your chart type

The first step to use charts effectively is to choose the right type of chart for your message. Different charts have different strengths and weaknesses, and you need to consider what you want to show and emphasize. For example, if you want to compare values across categories, a bar chart or a column chart might be a good choice. If you want to show how values change over time, a line chart or an area chart might be more suitable. If you want to show the distribution of values or the relationship between two variables, a scatter plot or a histogram might work better. The key is to match your chart type with your message purpose and data type.

2 Design your chart elements

The next step to use charts effectively is to design your chart elements, such as titles, labels, axes, legends, colors, and shapes. These elements help your audience understand and interpret your chart, so you need to make them clear, consistent, and accurate. For example, you should use descriptive and concise titles that capture the main point of your chart, use labels and axes that show the units and scales of your data, use legends that explain the meaning of your colors and shapes, and use colors and shapes that contrast and highlight your data. The key is to design your chart elements with your audience and context in mind, and avoid clutter and confusion.

3 Apply message design principles

The final step to use charts effectively is to apply message design principles, such as contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. These principles help you create a visual hierarchy and structure for your chart, and guide your audience's attention and comprehension. For example, you should use contrast to emphasize the most important or relevant data in your chart, use repetition to create consistency and harmony among your chart elements, use alignment to create order and balance for your chart layout, and use proximity to group related data and separate unrelated data. The key is to apply message design principles with your goal and message in focus, and avoid distraction and noise.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?