We often hear a picture is worth a thousand words. There is a simple reason this is true. Our eyes evolved to be the best way to put information into our brains (speed and amount). The amount of information that can be absorbed through our eyes is staggering and only limited by our ability to train ourselves to use our eyes to collect information.
Conversely, if we want to convey information to other people, we should also strive to do so visually. Hence we must train ourselves to think visually so that we can then figure out how to transmit information visually to our audience.
Here is a short list of rules to help transmit information and concepts visually. Special thanks to Glenn V and Brian R for assisting me with this list yesterday.
1) A visualization is not simply a picture. A visualization must be information or a concept conveyed through sight.
2) Pictures that convey no meaning detract from the information being presented and should be eliminated.
3) The most casual observer should understand what's being presented even if they don't understand what's being presented.
4 ) Any process can be visualized...think flow chart, they are simply and easy to draw.
5) Data visualization starts with a simple graph, rarely, if ever, is it a table of data.
6) Data keys are key...never forget to use them. However, keep simplifying your key until most of the information is embedded in the graphic. Then you might have the option to eliminate the key altogether.
7) Never try to convey more information then the human brain has the capacity to remember... if it's important to be remembered.
If the concepts are new they should be in the range of 3 (1st, 2nd, and 3rd law of thermodynamics)
If the concepts are simple or familiar maybe it's 5 +/-2 (Directorates in your organization)
If the concepts are extremely familiar or can be grouped, you might get to 7 +/-2 (Football teams)
I run the risk of violating rule number 7 if I go any further. And it might already be too late...
