This document provides 10 chart design ideas for business presentations that are simple, focused and exciting. It recommends using basic shapes in presentation software rather than default charts, with fewer than 5 segments in pie charts and clear, direct labeling. Colour and images should be used sparingly to highlight key information. Less complex charts with unnecessary information removed are easier to understand. Well-designed charts can clearly show trends over time or compare multiple variables simultaneously. The overall message is that simple, uncluttered visuals that directly answer the objective are most effective presentation tools.

1. 10 chart design ideas
that are simple, focused, and exciting for
your business presentations

2. STBANK
D Bank
A Bank
B Bank
18%
9%
7.3%
5%
Top Spenders
Advertising Expenses

3. STBANK
D Bank
A Bank
B Bank
18%
9%
7.3%
5%
Top Spenders
Advertising Expenses
Use simple and direct methods for creating charts that
are simple, direct, and focused.
The charting feature of PowerPoint or Keynote restrict
your creative freedom. Draw rectangles and text boxes
instead and build your charts manually.

4. 5%
8%
10%
17%
60%
by Media Portfolio
New Spend in Advertising
Google
Facebook
Billboards

5. 5%
8%
10%
17%
60%
by Media Portfolio
New Spend in Advertising
Google
Facebook
Billboards
Decide on what is important before you start. Try not
to have more than 5 segments for your PIE chart.
To further reduce clutter and make key data clearer,
label only the key segments needed for the
presentation.
Use colours wisely.

6. Preferred Beverages
in April 2012
Tea
Juice
Coffee
Water24,300
15,750

7. Preferred Beverages
in April 2012
Tea
Juice
Coffee
Water24,300
15,750
Use colours to highlight key data or to differentiate
items that you want your viewers to focus on.
Add an image if you need for further emphasis on
selected information.
Don’t worry if your slide looks bare and simple. It is a
good thing.

8. Job applications 2008-2012
Planner
Project
Manager Traffic
Controller
Sea
Pilot
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
5
25
50
applicants
Fewer people are motivated
to be a Sea Pilot

9. Job applications 2008-2012
Planner
Project
Manager Traffic
Controller
Sea
Pilot
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
5
25
50
applicants
Fewer people are motivated
to be a Sea Pilot
Remove unnecessary information from the chart. This
will bring out the clarity of key information.
More details can be added if necessary, but always ask
yourself—what is the objective? Can the key
information still be seen clearly with added details?
Remember that less is more.

10. NPAT & Revenue (S$ million)
2009B2008
2010F
392
407
400
196
203
199 NPAT
Revenue

11. NPAT & Revenue (S$ million)
2009B2008
2010F
392
407
400
196
203
199 NPAT
Revenue
Build your ideas on paper before you touch your
computer. Begin with clear objectives.
Think of ways to show complex information clearly on
your presentation slides.
Drawing charts using shapes is the best method to get
what you want and how you want it shown.

12. Sales of European cars
declining in Zombie Island
2009 2010 2011
Research by 4wheels Data, Inc.
2012
Japanese
Korean
European

13. Sales of European cars
declining in Zombie Island
2009 2010 2011
Research by 4wheels Data, Inc.
2012
Japanese
Korean
European
Line chart is a good way to show trend information.
Do not pack your slide with too many lines. Draw your
lines thick and clear so that they are easily seen.
Use direct labels for your charts. Try not to use
‘legends’ if possible.

14. Whose R.O.I.?
2008 2011 2014 20xx
online
searches
ROI

15. Whose R.O.I.?
2008 2011 2014 20xx
online
searches
ROI
Using coloured background is okay. But make sure
that there is good contrast between background and
data you placed on your slide.
Shapes in PowerPoint or Keynote can be quite
powerful. Combine shapes to build icons to create
pictorial charts that are exciting.

16. Bread
Others
75%
15%
10%
Cookies
What do people eat with their
afternoon coffee?
Chocolate Chips
43%
Healthy Oats
28%
Oreo
39%

17. Bread
Others
75%
15%
10%
Cookies
What do people eat with their
afternoon coffee?
Chocolate Chips
43%
Healthy Oats
28%
Oreo
39%
You can’t do this if you use the charting feature of
PowerPoint and Keynote.
Manipulate shapes and lines to create something
different and exciting. Then add text, change text size
and styles, and drag them to position.
Watch your contrast and colour usage!

18. 27%
50%
75%
42%
Too expensive compared to outside
Healthy choice not available
Variety of food limited
Environment not conducive
Poll on employee not eating at company’s canteen

19. 27%
50%
75%
42%
Too expensive compared to outside
Healthy choice not available
Variety of food limited
Environment not conducive
Poll on employee not eating at company’s canteen
Not all charts have to be vertical. Some data are best
presented horizontally.
If you need to add descriptive text to individual chart
data, then a horizontal presentation is more suited for
this purpose.
Try it and you’ll understand why.

20. Android
iOS
Windows
Others
Price USD
Year first introduced
2007 2010 20132005
2014 Mobile OS Market Share
800
1,200
500
300

21. Android
iOS
Windows
Others
Price USD
Year first introduced
2007 2010 20132005
2014 Mobile OS Market Share
800
1,200
500
300
Have multi-dimensional information to share?
Try the bubble chart. Besides the x-y axis, the size of
the bubble also represents another set of data. Can be
confusing if you are not clear what you want to show.
Again, be focused and decide what is the key
information. Remember to start with clear objectives.

22. Like this?
Download Share&

23. Create these amazing visuals
for your presentations.
only at
by Sticky SPY
Learn to think simple.

24. www.stickyspy.com aki @ stickyspy.com
Amazing Sticky Presentations®
Design Thinking Approach for
Visual Communication & Presentations
fb.com/StickyPresentations
@stickyspy #stickyspy