Pictograph Tutorial

We’ll be using a BMI dataset from Harshal’s high school project on Obesity for the National Children’s Science Congress 2019-20. Follow these steps to create a pictograph comparing BMI categories and the number of people.

Step 1: Upload Your Data

Step 1
- Open Flourish and select Pictogram Chart.
- Upload your dataset (Excel or CSV format).
- Ensure that the relevant columns (BMI Category and Number of People) are correctly selected.

Step 2: Configure the Icons

Step 2
- Choose an appropriate icon to represent each unit (e.g., person silhouette).
- Adjust the size, spacing, and arrangement of the icons.

Step 3: Map the Data

Step 3
- Assign BMI categories to labels.
- Set Number of People as the value determining icon count.
- Ensure the mapping accurately reflects the dataset.

Step 4: Customize the Appearance

Step 4
- Adjust colors, labels, and tooltip settings for clarity.
- Choose a consistent color scheme for different BMI categories.
- Ensure the chart is visually intuitive and accessible.

Step 5: Finalize and Publish

Step 5
- Review your visualization for accuracy.
- Click Publish & Export in Flourish.
- Copy and share the Embed URL.

Final Pictograph

Why Use a Pictograph for BMI Data?

A Pictograph is ideal for BMI data because:

It visually represents different BMI categories (Underweight, Normal, Overweight, Obese).
Each symbol corresponds to a fixed number of individuals, making data interpretation easier.
It allows for quick comparisons between different BMI groups.
Works best for datasets where values represent grouped counts rather than percentages.

Your pictograph is now ready to be shared! 🚀