Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
represents the Orlando International Airport than it would be by location
alone.
Use of all caps for a letter-based symbol helps to ensure that each symbol
fills a more consistent block of pixels and is equally weighted left to right,
making for better spatial harmony in the visualization. A condensed font
where letters are not as wide can help to keep the symbol more square in
shape, which tends to work better in a typical graph layout.
Tip
Avoid the use of abstract shapes like squares and triangles to
communicate information. Use simple circles if the graph is large
enough that nodes are extremely small or dense. Otherwise, use
symbols that can leverage recognition or aid recall.
Icons
Letter-based symbols are a great choice in many cases, but if nodes are
too small or densely grouped, it becomes difficult to read them. Sometimes
icons are a better option. Icons can often be recognized more universally
across languages, which is why they are often heavily used in applications
like airport signage. They also can be more compact than letters, allowing
for greater density of use.
Icons can also work in combination with colors to better tell types apart
when the number of unique colors required is high enough that there is
potential for confusion. They can also be used inside of circles if the nodes
are large enough (and, by implication, if the graph is small enough).
Figure
16-3
shows a portion of the same graph of National Basketball Association
(NBA) fan communities by gender previously shown in Chapter 11,
“Communities” (Figure 11-8), this time with iconic shapes instead of circles.
By using standard icons, you make it immediately clear what the nodes
represent, without the need to refer to a legend.
