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We're going to get a little hippie-dippie on you guys right now. Don't worry, though. We're pretty sure it's temporary.
Here it goes:
Everything's connected. People make connections with the humans and animals that populate their world. Our souls make a connection to a higher power, cosmic entity, or the natural world (depending on a person's beliefs). The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone. Our philosophy on the connectedness of our world knows no bounds.
Okay. Maybe that got a little too "hippie."
But, in all seriousness, things in our world are connected, and there are a variety of ways in which those connections are made. So, it makes sense that we use that connectedness to create the visuals in our presentations. Connections and relationships are something that just about anyone in any given audience can understand. Those links aren't usually visible to the naked eye, but through use of abstract symbols, we can make those connections appear.
In this lesson, we'll explore the different types of connections via the proverbial diagram: flow charts, hierarchies, clusters, radiations, pictorial displays, and even data representations. Then, we'll cover the different functions and capabilities of each kind of diagram. Not only are these diagrams going to offer you an opportunity to show off your ideas, they'll allow you to take something that might be difficult to explain in words, like processes and invisible connections, and turn it into a visual aid that's a crystal-clear representation of your message.
Yeah. That's what this lesson's all about: love, peace, and diagrams.
MAKE DIAGRAMS, NOT WAR
Diagrams, man. They're all about that connectedness.
But unlike our hippie friends, they're not all created equally. Each one has a function, purpose, and basic structure. And, while each diagram is as individual as its creator, they generally fall into a set of categories.
While you read the following, be sure to click each link so that you can see and explore the different types of diagrams.
And what are the different types of diagrams? Basically, they fall into six categories.
Check em' out:
1. Flow
Flow charts and diagrams are one of the most commonly used ways to display information in a presentation. They can be used to show
steps in a process.
the way data, information, or materials move through a system.
the smaller tasks to be completed within a major procedure.
how a program or machine works.
the various stages of a cycle.
the way one path splits into several options.
a combination of any of the above functions.
Yep. These kinds of diagrams are pretty versatile. Flow charts can move from one stage to the next in a linear, one-by-one manner, or they might have some boxes that branch off into more than one option, depending on a response or result. This capability adds further versatility to the flow chart structure.
However, because they aim to provide a lot of information with fairly little text, it's important that they're simple, neat, and easy to follow. They should contain all the steps for a task in an order that makes sense, and there should be no ambiguity; the person checking out that flow chart shouldn't have to assume or infer anything, meaning there's no room for a misunderstanding.
2. Framework
Sometimes, our diagrams create a sort of framework or structure. This organization display of information might be used to
compare two or more data sets.
show a hierarchy.
display the way certain relationships function.
create layers to show how certain elements build on one another.
show a sequence of events.
illustrate a breakdown of a system's functions or capabilities.
Frameworks are most often displayed in a treelike structure, with a base with several large branches. Sometimes, smaller branches are attached to the larger ones, depending on the complexity of the topic. They might also take on a pyramid shape, especially when showing a hierarchy or when showing how certain concepts build on previous ones.
On the down side, the simplicity of these charts often results in downplaying the actual complexity of the relationships within the diagram. Each of these should be accompanied with a thorough explanation to ensure the audience fully understands the diagram's information.
3. Clusters
A cluster chart sounds messy, but it's actually a really effective tool to show how things are related to one another. Clusters can be used to
show the similarities and differences in two or more set of information.
indicate the various parts of a whole.
explain which parts of a whole might stand alone.
illustrate how items or concepts are grouped together.
show how two things are related.
These types of charts often work like puzzles; there are several smaller pieces, usually similar in shape and size, that combine to make a single, unified image or shape. Overlaps show similarities, while connecting lines and arrows clarify relationships.
The negative side of clusters comes from the fact that they kind of make it hard to compare one thing across many categories. Everything's so intertwined that the elements are sometimes hard to separate. So, if you've gotta detangle your elements, the cluster chart might not be the best choice for you.
4. Radiations
When you think of something that radiates, you're probably picturing something that starts in the center and moves outward. For instance, UV rays radiate from the sun. Or, if you make someone really mad, they might radiate anger.
Similarly, we have diagrams called radiations that have a single entity that's the source of all the other information. We can use radiations to
show how a wide range of ideas or concepts have a similar origin.
explain how different ideas follow the same theme or topic.
show how one event caused many reactions.
emphasize a main idea, with its supporting ideas radiating from it.
describe the characteristics of a main idea or concept.
While the cluster charts show pieces of a whole, radiations show more relational information, meaning it's more like a characteristic or related idea than it is a part of the center element.
These types are diagrams should really only be used if all the information in the radiating antenna are equal in importance or relevance. If not, a framework structure will be the best option for your data.
5. Pictorial Displays
Wait a sec…aren't all charts and diagrams a kind of pictorial display? Technically, yeah. But, this needs its own category because pictorial displays are their own special breed of diagram. They can be used to
give instructions.
show direction or location.
illustrate information that's not easy to see or not visible whatsoever.
breakdown how pieces of a whole fit together.
explain how a process works, especially if it's hard to see.
illustrate how one thing influences another.
These types of diagrams usually have some accompanying text because it's a cartoonization of a tangible item or process, and certain elements need words to understand what's being represented by a given image.
For instance, have you ever seen an image of how evaporation works? It's got arrows, water, the sun, and labels. Without those labels, it might be a little harder to understand what's happening.
But without the display, a plain ol' verbal description leaves too much to the imagination, meaning pictorial displays are a necessary component to the presentation.
6. Data Representations
Data actually gets an entire lesson to itself because it's such an involved process, and there are so many small details that go into a data display. But, we'll cover the basics here.
A data display is any kind of diagram or chart that's used to display a set of numbers. That's basically what data is. Some examples of data displays include:
Pie charts
Bar graphs and histograms
Scatter plots
Line graphs
Area charts
Bubble charts
The uses for these types of charts are pretty straightforward. We use them to condense a whole lot of data and statistics into an easy-to-understand display. That way, when the audience sees them, they see a real relation, whether it be progress, majority, or distribution of data points, instead of just a mass of numbers. (Don't worry. We'll talk about this more in the next lesson.)
Hey, man. It's all about that connectedness, remember? These diagrams add those good vibes you need for a stellar presentation. As long as the chart style fits the purpose, you're on the right track.
DIAGRAM IT TO "THE MAN"
While it's all good and well to live and let live, it's not a great idea for us to drop all these stellar ideas about diagrams on you with no backup information. We've got to give you something more, right?
How about we check out a few diagrams in action? That'd be far out.
Head on over to this video on myth surrounding the developing world. And watch.
This guy is wicked passionate about his data charts. In fact, one of the first major charts he emphasizes is a bubble chart, each of which represents a country. Not only is he able to show information in a way that makes sense to just about any audience, the progression through the years shows an evolution of life expectancy and fertility rates that might go against preconceived notions from those in the Western World.
Not too shabby, eh? That guys is like the king of data representations.
Next, watch this video on how to make toast. Yes, you heard us right. He's talking about doing the whole bread-in-the-toaster process.
It's a simple task, until you break it down into a pictorial display and flow chart combo. Pay special attention as the visual aid flips through all the different styles and designs of a toast-making diagram. You'll see that, regardless of what you're talking about, there's always more than one way to diagram the information.
A diagram doesn't just have to be the backup singer to your presentation. Sometimes the process or information is the speech. For instance, this video spends its entirety covering the steps of a flow chart. Notice that this flow chart isn't just a linear, one-way process. Decisions are made, and there are different paths that'll take you to the end.
Notice something that all these presentations have in common? Their charts were necessary to understand what they were talking about. If the charts weren't included, the audience might've struggled to really get the full impact of what the speaker was saying. That's called "value," friend. Make sure any diagram you include does the same thing.
Yep. Don't let those diagrams get you down. Let them help you stick it to the man with an awesome presentation.
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