Data Presentation Design Guide

Prompt

Help me design data-driven slides that communicate clearly and persuasively.

Context:
- Presentation type: [EXECUTIVE UPDATE / SALES DECK / BOARD PRESENTATION / ANALYST BRIEFING]
- Audience data literacy: [LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH]
- Data I need to present: [DESCRIBE YOUR DATA POINTS]
- Key insight from each data set: [WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND]
- Current slide/chart issues: [WHAT'S NOT WORKING ABOUT HOW YOU SHOW THIS NOW]

Guide:

1. **Chart Type Selection** — For each data set:
   - Best chart type and why
   - Chart types to avoid and why
   - When to use a table instead of a chart

2. **Data Story Structure** — For each chart, what is the annotation hierarchy:
   - Title: states the insight, not the axis labels
   - Subtitle: context that helps interpret the data
   - Annotation: highlight the exact data point that matters
   - Caption: source and date

3. **Visual Hierarchy** — How to direct the eye to what matters. Color, weight, and size as signaling tools.

4. **Before and After** — For each of my data examples, describe the before (common mistake) and the after (how to fix it).

5. **Color Usage** — One-color-for-one-idea principle. How to use a highlight color to isolate the key data point.

6. **De-cluttering Checklist** — 10 things to remove from every chart to make it cleaner.

7. **The Annotation Rule** — If a data point needs to be labeled, what's the cleanest way to do it?

8. **Consistency Guide** — Font, color, and chart style standards to apply across all slides for a unified look.