5 Steps To Remove Chart Junk In Presentations
Have you ever sat through a presentation filled with cluttered charts and graphs that left you more confused than informed?
In a world driven by data, clear presentations are essential for effective decision-making. Charts play a pivotal role in conveying complex information, but the common issue of “chart junk” can hinder their impact.
Did you know that 90% of professionals consider charts and graphs crucial for understanding business data? Yet, a cluttered chart can decrease comprehension by up to 50%. This is why addressing chart junk matters – it directly affects the quality of your data-driven decision-making.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through 5 practical steps to remove chart junk, ensuring that your presentations convey information clearly and effectively.
Can you analyze the data just by looking at this fancy chart?
No? Let’s enhance it!
Step 1: Remove Special Effects
Remove all the shape effects (bevel/glow/shadow/reflection/soft edges)
Step 2: Use Brand Colors
Refer to the brand manual and follow the brand colors for consistency across the presentation
Step 3: Delete the Chart Junk
Remove all non-data ink like gridlines and Y-axis for better clarity
Step 4: Add a Narative
Use the title to convey the chart’s message and add data labels to the series
Step 5 (Pro Tip): Clean it Up!
Highlight the specific series/column by different colour or a pattern
Key Takeaway
Chart junk can be a major distraction, making it difficult to understand the key takeaways from your data.
By following the 5 practical steps outlined in this blog post, you can remove chart junk from your presentations and ensure that your information is conveyed clearly and effectively.
And, if you’re still not sure where to start or need some help in presentation design with better visualization, we’re always here!
Just contact us or book a discovery call, and let’s begin!
