Open In Colab

Theory of graphics#

Design arguments#

One of the main design arguments for the graphical display of information is data / ink maximization @tufte1990data. This is the idea that idea that as much of the “ink” (non-background pixels) of the plot as possible should be displaying data.

Data/ink maximalization has been criticized empirically. For example, @inbar2007minimalism conducted a study with 87 undergraduates and found a clear preference for the non-maximized variations. Another line of argument discusses the “paradox of simplicity” @norman2007simplicity, @eytam2017paradox, whereby we have a strong aesthetic preference for simplicity, but also want flexibility and maximum utility.

  • @bertin1983semiology

Graphical critique#

  • @wickham2010graphical

Theory of graphics#

  • @cleveland1987research

  • @cleveland1984many

  • @cleveland1980calendar

  • @carswell1992choosing

  • @cleveland1986experiment

  • Magical thinking @diaconis2006theories

Implementation#

Grammar of graphics#

  • @wilkinson2012grammar

  • @wilkinson2013grammar

  • @wickham2010layered

Narative storytelling#

Edward and Jeffrey (@segel2010narrative) argue regarding the use of modern interactive tools in data narrative storytelling. They give seven canonical genres of narrative visulation.

Graph galleries and further reading#

Further reading#

Graph galleries#

Historically famous graphics#

Infographics in the media#