visualizing informationin 6 steps
version with links to sources
source: Wire Magazine 16 June 2008Artifacts from the future
need for visualization
6 principles to keep in mind
data-ink ratio
= data-inktotal ink used to print the graphic
= proportion of a graphic’s ink devoted to the non-redundant display of data
= 1 – proportion of graphic that can be erased
21 3
54 6
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
1
2
need grid?make itlighter
source: train schedule by E.J. Marey
1
2
standard Excelgrid and axis
data-ink ratio
di
Robert Shumann2d > 3d
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
men
s
ions
divisions in France2d > 4d
source: The War with Germany by Leonard P. Ayres
breakdown of car components2d > 4d
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
bullet chart5d
source: bullet chart by Stephen Few
dimensions
size
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
golden ratio
source: Beautiful Evidence by Edward R. Tufte
small is beautiful - sparklines
sparklines for binary data
source: Beautiful Evidence by Edward R. Tufte
size
font
do not mix styles and cases!
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
1
2
emphasis here
use alternativefor boring Arialeg Trebuchet
fonts
coloremphasis here
eye does not focus on data
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
get color inspiration from nature
use of contours
source: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
1 2
1 out of 10 people perceive red and green like gray
source: Information Visualization: Perception for Design by Colin Ware
colors
open your eyes and be aware of
source: Excel 2007 sample graphs by Microsoft Excel Blog Team
source: Excel 2007 sample graphs by Microsoft Excel Blog Team
do not use 3d
use bar charts instead of pie charts
simplicity and elegance are key!source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.
source: airline dashboard by BonaVista Systems
books
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information Envisioning Information Visual Explanations
Information VisualizationInformation Dashboard DesignBeautiful Evidence
blogsexcelcharts.com/blog
visualisationmagazine.com/blogvisualthinkmap
peltiertech.com/WordPress
neoformix.com
blog.xlcubed.com
www.coolinfographics.com
www.juiceanalytics.com/writing
www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/blog
eagereyes.org