Annotation

Project Annotation

Helping viewers understand what the project is about and how to use it

Chart Annotation

Help viewer perceive the chart and optimize interpretations

Features of Annotation

Headings and Introductions

Inform users efficiently about the content

User Guides

Offer some level of instruction in the form of prompts

Reader Guides and Legends

Offer a different type (from user guides), they help viewers how to understand how to read a chart

Chart Apparatus and References

Relates to the range of structural components found in different chart types (axis lines, gridlines, etc…)

Features of Annotations cont.

Chart Labelling and Captions

Axis titles

Axis scales

Value labels

Footnotes and Methods

A convenient place to share useful information that allows for increased transparency.

Influencing Factors and Considerations

Audience

Setting

Purpose

Accessible design

Summary

Features of Annotation

Headings and introductions: Titles, subtitles and section headings, often combined with longer passages to describe the background and aims of a project.

User guides: Advice or instructions on how to use interactive features.

Reader guides and legends: Detailed instructions advising viewers how to perceive and interpret the chart, describing the associations between data values and attribute classifications.

Chart apparatus and references: Structural components found in different chart types, such as axis lines, gridlines or tick marks, as well as markings that assist with interpretation.

Chart labelling and captions: Axis titles, axis labels, value labels and commentaries.

Footnotes and methods: Include data sources, credits, and time/date stamps. May be expanded to provide more detailed description of data handling processes, assumptions and shortcomings.

Summary cont.

If these were the options, how did you make your choices? The influencing factors included:

Audience: Considering the characteristics and needs of the audience to determine what assistance they might need.

Setting: Will the audience have the scope to engage with annotations if the encounter is characterized by time pressures?

Purpose: The tone and experience offered will influence the type of annotations required.

Accessible design: Many annotations are based on text displays and so you need to consider the legibility of the typeface you choose and the logic behind the font–size hierarchy you display.

Questions?