P0CCUAA

1. Design Elements of Graphical Representation, (Factors supporting appearance and functionality of solutions). P0CCUAA

2. Key elements of graphic design • Proportion • Visual hierarchy of page on screen; the prominence of various elements on screen • Most important pieces of information, eg. title and axis labels must have visual prominence • Positioning of page elements, legend, use of white space around objects and formatting of fonts • Hierarchy, an arrangement of items in which each is ranked above, below or at the same level as another to show their importance.

3. Key elements of graphic design • Orientation • Direction and aspect of elements within a graphic representation • In deciding on orientation of objects, designer considers direction of data labels and the alignment of data labels, (left, right, centre or full justification).

4. Key elements of graphic design, contd • Clarity & Consistency • Clarity - How clearly the information the graphic representation is presented and • How a user can differentiate between objects in the graphic form • Graphic representation should not be overcrowded; don’t use both a value and % in a pie chart • Choice of font types and sizes impact on clarity • Consistency – use of similar recurring or conventional features, eg. font styles, font sizes, and color and • Use of accepted conventions

5. Key elements of graphic design, contd • Format: a way of presenting data, eg. centring text, or adding $ signs to represent currency • Convention: an accepted and standard way of formatting data, eg. starting the largest wedge in the pie chart at 12 o’clock is a convention. • Color & Contrast • Colors should make the information clear, readable & attractive; colors emphasise important features • Conventions for onscreen colour: • Easily readable, black text on a white background • Avoid using red and green together, (colourblind people)

6. Key elements of graphic design, contd • Conventions for onscreen colour: contd. • Blue and brown together are difficult to read • Limit the amount of different colours used • Light shades best used for backgrounds • Avoid using bright, vivid colours • Avoid using yellow or other light colours for text on a white background • Contrast, the visual difference in colour or tone between objects in the graphic representation • Greater contrast make objects stand out • Use of white space can enhace contrast around objects

7. Key elements of graphic design, contd • Usability • Refers to the graphic representation being user friendly, ie. Easy to use • Consider: • Can the user understand the graphic form? • Can the user quickly identify the purpose of the graphic form? • Is the graphic form accurate and a true reflection of the data? • Is the graphic form attractive and pleasing to the eye?

8. Key elements of graphic design, contd • Accessibility • Refers to user being able to efficiently and easily attaining the meaning and relevance of information • Use of simple and relevant labels and commonly understood symbols, eg. diamonds in scatter diagrams should be used.

9. Key elements of graphic design, contd • Appropriateness and relevance • Refers to the solution meeting the needs of the intended audience with appropriate information that is relevant to its purpose • Superfluous information or extra detail should be avoided