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Theory of Data Graphics

Theory of Data Graphics. Part 1 Most of a graphic’s ink should vary in response to data variation (see chapters 4-6). Chapter 4 - Data-Ink Ratio.

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Theory of Data Graphics

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  1. Theory of Data Graphics • Part 1 Most of a graphic’s ink should vary in response to data variation (see chapters 4-6)

  2. Chapter 4 - Data-Ink Ratio • Data Ink is the ink on a graph that represents data.  Tufte claims that good graphical representations maximize data-ink and erase as much non-data-ink as possible.  • Data-Ink Principles: 1. Above all else show data. 2. Maximize the data-ink ratio. 3. Erase non-data-ink. 4. Erase redundant data-ink. 5. Revise and edit

  3. Data-Ink ratio of 1 Tufte tests these principles on a whole range of examples to come up with a wide range of fresh designs that dramatically improve the legibility of the graphs.  Here is an example with a very high data-ink ratio.  It’s an electroencephalogram – a graph that records the electrical activity from the brain.  This graph would have a data-ink ratio of 1.

  4. CH. 5 - Chartjunk • Moiré vibration 123 • Grids 1vs2 • Ducks (self-promoting graphs that are used to demonstrate the graphic ability of the designer rather than display the data.)

  5. Worst chart ever?   “A series of weird three-dimensional displays appearing in the magazine of American Education in the 1970’s delighted the connoisseurs of the graphically preposterous.  Here five colors report, almost by happenstance, only 5 pieces of data (since the division within each adds to 100%).  This may well be the worst graphic ever to find its way into print.” See page 118.

  6. Chapter 6 – Data-Ink Maximization • See chart redesign pages 127-128

  7. http://mindprod.com/image/math/livinghistogram.jpg

  8. Multifunctioning Graphical Elements • “The same ink should often serve more than one graphical purpose” (139) • Graphical element may carry data information and also perform a design function • Element that locates or plots the data is the data measure • , also pg. 144 “road stripes”

  9. Multifunctioning Graphical Elements Data-Based Grids • Grid reports directly on the data • Sometimes it’s better to make the coordinate labels into the actual data points themselves. (this strategy eliminates the need to perform eye-work) • example • Generally works better for smaller data sets

  10. Multifunctioning Graphical Elements Puzzles and Hierarchy in Graphics • Complexity of the elements can sometimes turn the graphic into a visual puzzle • How to recognize: Graphic must be interpreted through verbal rather than visual process • See page 153

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