This is a subject getting increasing conversation time on various blogs. One of the consistent challenges is to avoid visualisation for the sake of it.
In thinking about our rule set I like very much Manuel Lima's information visualisation manifesto:
- "Form follows function
- Start with a question
- Interactivity is key
- Cite your source
- The power of narrative
- Do not glorify aesthetics
- Look for relevancy
- Embrace time
- Aspire to knowledge
- Avoid gratuitous visualisations"
However in avoiding Lima's points 6 & 10 Edward R Tufte is still the authoritative source. Below is Tufte's own manifesto quoted from his excellent book page 13 - the second bullet encapsulates it all really.
"Excellence in statistical graphics consists of complex ideas communicated with clarity, precision and efficiency. Graphical displays should
- show the data
- induce the viewer to think about the substance rather than about methodology, graphic design, the technology of graphic production, or something else
- avoid distorting what the data have to say
- present many numbers in a small space
- make large data sets coherent
- encourage the eye to compare different pieces of data
- reveal the data at several levels of detail, from a broad overview to the fine structure
- serve a reasonably clear purpose: description, exploration, tabulation or decoration
- be closely integrated with the statistical and verbal descriptions of a data set.
Graphics reveal data".
The image above is one of my favourites from his fantastic collection of visualisations - Napoleon's march into Russia. The brown line is proportionate in size to his army as he begins his campaign. The advance of the army is shown across a map of Russia. The black line is Napoleon's retreat with date and temperature plotted - revealing with great articulation the human tragedy.
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