PeopleGraphMaker

The PeopleGraphMaker web app can be used to create your own icon array, or people graph, to visualise demographic data.

This resource and the following information were contributed by Max Burkhardt.

Authors and their affiliation

Max Burkhardt

Key features

The tool can create icon array/people graph visualisations in the form of a 100% chart or bar chart.

By using human-shaped icons or other relatable symbols, this method simplifies the communication of complex data by making abstract numbers more concrete and relatable to the general audience. This method is particularly effective in conveying risk, prevalence of a condition, or population-based trends, helping viewers better understand the scale of the phenomena being represented. It is often employed in areas like public health, education, and marketing.

The feature set includes:

• Customizing the displayed icon
• Adjusting the number of displayed icons, the gaps in-between and the resolution
• Selectively colouring the chart depending on proportions
• SVG/PNG-export

How have you used or intend to use this resource?

Some time ago, I was looking to create an icon array for my pitch deck. Unfortunately, all the tools I found were quite limited and not flexible enough. This led to me creating this tool that largely solved my problem. I decided, being short-handed, to release it and make it available for free.

Other users have reported that they've used the app in the following ways:

• Creating visualisations in a thesis, technical report
• Using it as an educational tool (a teacher printed a large scale version so that students could write inside the icons).

Why would you recommend it to other people?

I would recommend peoplegraphmaker.com to other data advocates and educators because it facilitates the process of creating high-quality visuals for (demographic) proportions. Where previously a lot of time had to be invested in selecting, colouring and arranging icons, it is free with this tool and can be done within minutes.