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Information Dashboard Design: The Effective Visual Communication of Data
Dashboards have become popular in recent years as uniquely
powerful tools for communicating important information at a
glance. Although dashboards are potentially powerful, this
potential is rarely realized. The greatest display
technology in the world won't solve this if you fail to use
effective visual design. And if a dashboard
fails to tell
you precisely what you need to know in an instant, you'll
never use it, even if it's filled with cute gauges, meters,
and traffic lights. Don't let your investment in dashboard
technology go to waste.
This book will teach you the visual design skills you need
to create dashboards that communicate clearly, rapidly, and
compellingly. Information Dashboard Design will explain how
to:
Avoid the thirteen mistakes common to dashboard design
Provide viewers with the information they need quickly and
clearly
Apply what we now know about visual perception to the visual
presentation of information
Minimize distractions, cliches, and unnecessary
embellishments that create confusion
Organize business information to support meaning and
usability
Create an aesthetically pleasing viewing experience
Maintain consistency of design to provide accurate
interpretation
Optimize the power of dashboard technology by pairing it
with visual effectiveness
Stephen Few has over 20 years of experience as an IT
innovator, consultant, and educator. As Principal of the
consultancy Perceptual Edge, Stephen focuses on data
visualization for analyzing and communicating quantitative
business information. He provides consulting and training
services, speaks frequently at conferences, and teaches in
the MBA program at the University of California in Berkeley.
He is also the author of Show Me the Numbers: Designing
Tables and Graphs to Enlighten. Visit his website at
www.perceptualedge.com.
Clarifying the vision
Variations in dashboard uses & data
13 common mistakes in dashboard design
Tapping into the power of virtual perception
Eloquence through simplicity
Effective Dashboard display menus
Designing Dashboards for usability
Putting it all together
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