Welcome to the dispatch

Hey there,

Welcome to Diagram Dispatch, where every 2 weeks I'll be shipping out a list of 6 carefully selected infographics which will hopefully inspire you to make something amazing, or teach you something new. Without further ado, lets get into this fortnights collection.

Venn diagrams

If you are a seasoned infographic veteran, a junior diagram admirer or just a bit curious on what all these shapes, numbers are colours mean, there is one type of diagram that is easily understood by all - Venn Diagrams. They consist of overlapping shapes, usually circles, that show logical relations between two or more sets of data.

Venn diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data sets and relationships, and they can be used in a wide variety of contexts. For example, they can be used to illustrate the overlap between different groups of people, the intersection between different topics or subjects, or the relationship between different data points within a larger dataset.

One of the key benefits of using Venn diagrams is that they can help to simplify complex information and make it more accessible to a wider audience. By presenting data in a visual format, Venn diagrams can help to highlight key insights and trends that might not be immediately apparent from looking at raw data.

Overall, Venn diagrams are an essential tool for anyone working with data or trying to communicate complex information in a clear and accessible way.

Pros of Venn Diagrams

• Provide a visual representation of complex data sets and relationships

• Highlight key insights and trends that may not be immediately apparent from raw data

• Simplify complex information and make it more accessible to a wider audience

• Can be used in a wide variety of contexts to visualize how different data sets relate to each other

• Identify commonalities and differences between data sets

Cons of Venn Diagrams

• Can become too complex and difficult to read when too many sets are involved

• May not accurately represent data sets if the shapes are not proportional or the overlaps are not accurate

• May not provide a complete representation of the data if some information is left out or not included in the diagram

• Can be subjective and depend on the interpretation of the person creating the diagram

Tools of the trade

Make your own Venn Diagram with Lucid Chart

One resource I keep coming back to time and time again is Lucid chart and its perfect for creating Venn diagrams:

1. Create an account and start a new file

2. Select Venn diagram from the templates

3. Edit the text to your own data points

4. You can even add additional shapes from the tool panel and create a diagram with as many shapes as you wish

I’ve started my own Venn diagram on Lucid chart, you can check it out here.

Data Viz Project

One resource I use to explore and explain types of diagrams to the is the website datavizproject.com, and I recommend you add this one to your bookmarks. Its an interactive database showing all kinds of diagrams along with examples and explanations.

The diagrams can also be sorted into categories, so if you have a unique dataset or are looking for a way to illustrate something in particular, you can filter your options down and pick a solution right for you.

Venn Diagrams in the wild

Don McMillan humour

One reason I love Venn diagrams is that they are a fantastic visual aid when it comes to humour. Nobody does this better that comedian Don McMillan. Don sums up how he went from Engineer to Comedian in a short skit you can see in Episode 61 of his own Youtube series; Comedy in Place. He also goes onto explain what Venn diagrams are and gives a short history lesson on Mathematician John Venn, who invented the Venn diagram.

Should you hire a designer?

This next diagram is a bit tongue and cheek from Freelance and solo designers towards potential clients. If you expect quality, cheap and quick work from a designer, many creatives will insist you are chasing a fantasy. This diagram shows that in visual form - note the void in the middle that represents ‘cheap, quick and quality’ service, denoting it doesn’t exist. Work can be quick and cheap, but it wont be good. It can be good and cheap, but it’ll take a while or it can be good and fast, but it will come at a cost. We can thank Madison Carr at Creative Chameleon Studio for this gem.

That does it for this months newsletter on Venn diagrams, I hope you’ve managed to pick up something new from what I’ve shared.

Until next time.

Mike