Designer's Guide to Creating Charts & Diagrams

Book excerpt: Demonstrates how to take complex, abstract statistical data and organize it into an understandable chart or diagram. This book shows what type of chart is suitable for individual jobs, what format is appropriate and what demands of time, art and skill are involved in each project. Using well-illustrated sample assignments, the author teaches how to apply four steps to any task beginning with identifying the reader or user of the chart, selecting a production method, reviewing the numbers, and finding the right symbol around which to design it. This book also discusses the misuse of charts and how to avoid distorting facts. It concludes with how to find sources of inspiration in nature and the world around us. This book is designed to be of interest to graphic designers, art directors, editors and anyone who uses charts to convey information.