publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/395170
Maximize the impact of color, font, size and the type of visual components you are using in your presentations. Have you caught a glimpse of a design you really liked? Make sure you learn from its composition — the colors, font sizes and styles used. Use color wheels to find balanced color combinations to define your theme and emphasize key data points in just a few minutes. The main principle here is to make sure the colors work together, enhancing the visual presentation in a way that adds strength and clarity to the message delivered. Help the audience clearly see relationships between data points and identify patterns. Don't overdo it with the "cool" stuff, such as 3-D charts, animations, transitions, interactive components or other special effects that often serve as a distraction. Always question the purpose of a feature you are thinking about adding. If it does not directly support your message, toss it aside. Be strategic about your choices. See what works together. Make sure to use appropriate forms of data visualization for the presented data. Same goes for font types, sizes, styles and any other aspect of what goes into a data visualization. Depending on the type of presentation, be it projected on a wall or a screen, printed on paper, engraved, or displayed on a computer monitor or a mobile device, make sure you have good test runs in the environment in which you plan to give the final version of your presentation. Verify that all elements are sized appropriately and can be seen clearly, and in the intended way. If you have time, show your work to your colleagues, family members and friends, and ask for honest feedback. 5. Present Actionable Insight: One of the most important pieces of data visualization, and one that is often overlooked, is making the audience want to take the next steps based on the information presented to them. Data visualization should instigate action. If you were a managing partner in a firm where the two fictitious lawyers from our earlier example worked, what actions would you take based on the exhibits? A BETTER WAY TO COMMUNICATE DATA In the current legal market, which is characterized by tremendous pressure from clients and competitors alike, law firms have to become more proficient in the business of law in order to retain and expand their client base. Understanding the business side of daily operations is now a necessary skill for a larger group of legal professionals. On the path to achieving desired operational excellence and competitive efficiency, modern law firms and legal departments can benefit from better ways of tracking and analyzing key performance statistics for lawyers and staff alike, and in communicating these data in a quick, comprehensible, memorable, efficient, clean and actionable way to key decision- makers. Data visualization ensures the right decisions are made to positively impact the bottom line and lead to success. ILTA WHITE PAPER: OCTOBER 2014 WWW.ILTANET.ORG 16 DATA VISUALIZATION FOR LEGAL: WHY YOU NEED IT AND HOW TO START