Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4. Anna Ursyn, “Practice Makes Perfect” (© 2002, A. Ursyn. Used with permission)
“Practice Makes Perfect” (Figure 4) metaphori-
cally pictures the works taken in pursuit of a goal:
Solutions for presentation include tables, small
data sets, relationships among multiple variables,
time-based displays, simulations for the multidi-
mensional processes, and visualizations for both
the abstract and the physically existing concepts.
We use data graphics in everyday practice, often
making them part of interactive design or multime-
dia projects, using them to visually communicate
messages (such as road signs), advertise products
(by creating logos or commercials), illustrate
knowledge with diagrams, enhance performances
(with scenery, posters, and programs), entertain
with visual storytelling, manga, or comics, and
provide information in newspapers, magazines,
blogs, television and film documentaries.
In his classic topics on theory and practice in
the design of data graphics, Edward Tufte (http://
www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/) provided analysis
how to display data in graphics, charts, and tables.
He advised to display numbers in tables when
reporting small data sets of 20 numbers or less.
Big and complicated sets of data, for example
Once around, ride again, up and down the mound,
To encircle barriers, grow a paragon,
To have no equal, be worthy to follow,
To become a nonesuch, a beau ideal.
Graphs, Data Graphics, Data Maps
To organize numbers well and facilitate com-
parisons, numbers can be arranged as a text-table,
alphabetically, ordered by content, or data values
(from small to big). A graph depicts a single rela-
tionship between the data or a whole network with
the use of vertices (nodes) connected by edges
(links). Graphics that present data, information or
knowledge are called information graphics. Data
graphics communicate information by combining
points, lines, coordinate systems, numbers, shad-
ings, color, words, pictures, and symbols, often
in the form of well known, easy to grasp icons.
