#23021
Bring Data to Life: Art and Information Can Complement Each Other
Using Photoshop, Illustrator, and Freehand to create better charts, graphs, technical diagrams.
Abes, Cathy. MacWorld (2001). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#13762
When it comes to graphing data, most professionals show little method or creativity. They typically limit themselves to a small repertoire of graph types and select from it on the basis of habit, if not sheer ease of production. Similarly, the many books on graphing devote much attention to graphical integrity and readability, but little or none to graph selection. We developed a methodology to help engineers, scientists, and managers choose the “right graph” on the basis of three criteria: the structure of the data set in terms of number and type of variables, the intended use of the graph, and the research question or intended message. The first and third criteria allow one to construct an effective two-entry selection table.
Doumont, Jean-luc and Philippe Vandenbroeck. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication (2002). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#29052
Critiquing the Culture of Computer Graphing Practices 
This paper is a critique of current approaches to the development of computer graphing and graph visualization programs. Developers of these programs model the user as an individual problem solver who is reliant on perceptual skills to create and interpret graphed information. Such a model of graphing is ill-suited to meet the complex needs of real users, a supposition that is supported by work in two major areas of graphing theory and research: the sociology of science and the educational research of mathematics and scientific students. These areas have not been traditionally cited when planning computer graphing or visualization programs or when assessing their usability. A review of the literature in these fields reveals that an over-reliance on a user's perceptual skills is unlikely to result in successful graph practices.
Brasseur, Lee. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Articles>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#23694
Most technical writers use much more care in choosing words than in presenting numbers. The writer who presents numbers poorly loses credibility. Poorly presented numbers also cause reader misunderstanding that leads to poor decisions.
Robbins, Naomi B. MetroVoice (2002). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#23679
Don't Fool with Graphs, Part II 
Using evenly spaced tick marks to represent different time intervals is a common error which has been repeated several times in recent STC publications and presentations.
Robbins, Naomi B. MetroVoice (2003). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#23537
General guidelines for illustrative figures in technical reports.
Young, V.L. and K.J. Sampson. Ohio University (2004). Articles>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#22007
El proyecto genoma humano (PGH) genera un volumen de información inabordable sin el uso de medios sofisticados para su tratamiento. La visualización de información tiene aquí un gran campo de aplicación.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2002). (Spanish) Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#23150
Planning and Editing Tables and Charts 
Reviewing and suggesting changes to tables and charts are important responsibilities of editors. Improvements a knowledgeable editor might suggest include the following: revising table titles, selecting the best table design, converting landscape to portrait orientation, adopting a more effective style, choosing the right chart form, and guarding against misleading charts. Editors who have had little training or experience in this area will benefit from attending specific courses and studying the texts listed in the bibliography.
Mann, Gerald A. STC Proceedings (1996). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#24239
Presenting Quantitative Information Effectively
Many of the graphical constructions we see in the media and learned in school have severe perceptual problems. Newer and better methods are available based on research and experimentation in human perception. However, these newer methods are often hidden in the scientific literature. Software packages for graphical displays can add to the problem since their defaults often emphasize their technological know-how rather than the accurate display of data. In addition, graphic designers and artists are not necessarily trained in statistics. Recognizing that these problems exist is the key to solving them. The references provide guidance for effective data displays.
Robbins, Naomi B. STC Proceedings (1999). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#30547
Proposal Flowchart Excellence: Ten Rules for Scoring on Top
'Flowcharts-- UGH!' That's a too-typical reader reaction when faced with the average flowchart. It underscores the author's challenge when trying to develop this potentially powerful tool. For conveying process, there is no better means. In proposals, however, where the flowchart must also serve as a sales tool, its optimum form is not always clear. This paper provides some guidelines, such as: Ensuring your flow is a process of merit. Letting goals dictate form. Organizing for readability. Focusing on action. Using simple, standard visuals. Illuminating features. And obviating responsiveness... To reap the winning rewards.
Green, R. Dennis. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#21814
Recommendations for Charts and Graphics
The Recommendations for Chart and Graphic comprise guidelines for the use of charts, graphics, images, colors and text.
SAP Design Guild (2003). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#21659
Reglas Para Estropear un Gráfico
Los buenos gráficos son los que no se notan, los que soportan y enseñan los datos sin interferir con ellos. Repasamos algunas de las reglas para hacer mal un gráfico.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2002). (Spanish) Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#21660
No siempre un gráfico es el elemento más ilustrativo. Las frases escritas, las tablas y los gráficos tienen su propio lugar en el discurso de la construcción de la claridad y el entendimiento.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2002). (Spanish) Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#24253
Wigner Distribution Representation and Analysis of Audio Signals: An Illustrated Tutorial Review
The Wigner distribution provides a visual display of quantitative information about how a signal’s energy is distributed in both time and frequency. Through its low-order moments the Wigner distribution embodies the fundamentally important concepts of both Fourier analysis and time-domain analysis. Signal energy is distributed in such a way that specific frequencies are localized in time by the group delay time (from classical filter theory) and at specific instants in time the frequency is given by the instantaneous frequency (from classical modulation theory). The energy spectrum (energy per frequency) and instantaneous power (energy per time) are specified by the zero-order moments of the distribution. The net positive volume of the Wigner distribution is numerically equal to the signal’s total energy. While the theoretical underpinnings of the Wigner distribution are mathematically elegant and do merit in-depth study, a substantial amount of practical insight, understanding and interpretive skill can be gained by carefully examining a wide variety of computed Wigner distributions such as those of the audio signals presented in this brief report.
Preis, Douglas and Voula Chris Georgopoulos. STC Proceedings (1998). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
#35560
Chart Junk? How Pictures May Help Make Graphs Better
New research shows that highly embellished graphs and charts may actually help people understand data more effectively than traditional graphs.
Science Daily. Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Charts and Graphs
