Simple Charts to Graphs, Design Rationale

Due to the size of the images of my chart and graph, I have posted each, as well as this design rationale, as separate posts.

My goal for the chart was to create an easy-to-read, well-spaced and visually simple table which would convey the information of students' ethnic demographics for 2010.  Do do this, I merged a series of cells and centered the text figures.  I filled the title box with light blue, so as to highlight the chart's purpose without being too polarizing.  In order to minimize black lines, I used them only where absolutely necessary, and alternated the horizontal cells between white and light yellow, so as to distinguish the different cells without appearing confusing.

I created the bar graph using a program online similar to Excel; it was a simple process that was totally effective other than the fact that I was not able to choose varying colors for the bars.  There are also too many black lines behind the bars, not complying with Occam's Razor or Tufte's rule.  If I did the graph over, I would be sure to fix these problems.
This project helped me to understand how information can be translated from completely simple, 2-dimensional form to 3-dimensional graphic form.  Oddly enough, though, I would have preferred to create these graphs using paper and ink.  I feel I have more of a connection with this medium, and would be able to create a more attractive visual with more variation.