Comments on: Sorry, but your charts are ugly

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:13:59 +0000

Great article. It’s always important to point out the facts in a way that’s easy to understand. Often people take something else away from your data than what you had intended. A clear chart that presents the facts is a good way to go.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:55:19 +0000

@Val it’s the three Amazon links.

By: Val @ Web Tracking Guide

Val @ Web Tracking Guide — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:46:13 +0000

Is it just me, or is there a list of book missing at the bottom?
Otherwise, great article! I’m learning to add more visualization to my online writing, that seems to attract more readers and keep their attention. Charts are one of the way to accomplish that, so I think I’ll be using them more in future.
And I’m also a fan of keeping things simple. That helps in many areas.

By: Note Taking Nerd #2

Note Taking Nerd #2 — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:53:20 +0000

“Fired.” That was awesome!!!
I love your chart ideas and the theme of this piece. It reminds me of a quote I strive to live by… “The meaning of communication is the response you get.”
When I focus on this look at every way that I can communicate my idea in a way that is impossible to misunderstand because…
Misunderstanding is really the rule in communication. Most communication is misunderstood. Most of the things that we say to others or write to each other, most of the things we communicate, don’t get across fully.
And that’s why the rule of thumb: Eliminate Misunderstanding
Don’t just try to force your message across. Work to eliminate all possibilities of mis-understandings.
Thank You Ian for helping me reach this outcome with my charts!!!

By: Sky

Sky — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:40:40 +0000

Ian – take a look at your “creative” chart. I see you went really creative with it ;) 1 page == 1M, and if so than top one is ~18.4M, as you’ve wrote, but bottom one shows ~12,3M, while it’s written that the pageviews were 13,3M.
You missed one icon there.
hehehe :)

By: Jordan Muela

Jordan Muela — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:00:12 +0000

Speaking of vain analysis, I’d like to lodge an complaint with this line in the intro, “When you’re presenting internet marketing reports to someone who has about 30 spare seconds, image is everything.”
Where was the classic Ian wit and sarcasm? I was looking for something more like “someone who has the analytical skills of a brick”.
Other than that, great article. Solid content is what keeps me coming back. Keep it up.

By: Vert Studios

Vert Studios — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:36:15 +0000

“But since then I’ve considered the presentation of the data as important as the data itself. That may seem horrible—the content’s what’s important, right?”
Nah, not horrible. That’s the foundation of design. All design sends a message. You could easily just write or type the message. When it comes to data, design serves the function of validation.
And you’re right, you don’t need to make a rock-star infographic to adequately inform/persuade. (In fact, that might be counterproductive in some cases). Keep it simple, keep it honest, and your clients will appreciate it.