Friday, April 27, 2007

Visual presentation of information

The first time I saw a concept-mapping application in use I was thrilled, and well, inspired (it was Inspiration after all).
I have since looked at other ways to arrange and present information. There are other applications that allow you to create a multi-level web, add pictures, sounds etc.
And there is a trend that information is no longer a table that you look at and get bored and lost, at least most of us will. Today information has to be precise and compact so you get open it on the tiny screen of your phone and still gather the essential details as well as the whole message.
Mobile devices are not the only ones that are creating more need for concise information.
Have you seen MS Office 2007? At least when it comes to Excel? That's also what MS did. In their table you can create charts and graphs right in the table so you can compare at a glance. It will also color-code maximum and minimum and the median. So, the functionality of information is what becomes the goal - how fast and easily can you make a decision based on what you have seen?
On that note, I would like to share two alternatives to the more traditional way of visual presentation. One is about maps, and the other one is about words. Check them out!