Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
• The "OECD Better Life Index" display in the middle shows a glyph chart
based around floral shapes with the petals sized according to different
quality of life-indicator values. We don't find it that easy to determine
precise values from these shapes but we do get a sense of the big values,
the medium values, and the small values. This is an attractive alternative
to a very pragmatic and analytical display such as a bar chart, or even just
a table of numbers. At this primary layer of the tool's interface, the balance
achieved between design creativity and interpretive accuracy was judged
to be ideal, with the added feature of interactivity to enable more detailed
annotation and accurate value-reading.
• The example of an area chart and bar chart, on the right-hand side of the
image, provides a contrasting context. Here we might be talking about
an analytical experience where the accuracy and efficiency of exchange
is paramount. The idea of design innovation or novel creativity is not
important. In these cases, you will be looking to prioritize the deployment
of the higher-ranking visual variables enabling a reasonably easier
experience in reading the values.
In each of these cases, we see a different balancing act taking place, a series of
trade-offs between the interpretive accuracy and the design aesthetic to arrive
at the right solution for the given context.
Creating an appropriate design metaphor
Maintaining consistency with our defined purpose—the requirements that come from
understanding what triggered the project as well as the tonal and functional choices
behind our intent—should be seen as a proposed pathway, not a final destination.
It may be that our initial thoughts around what we would hope to achieve are
revised as we learn more about the data and the stories we can and may wish to
tell. For instance, we might have initially thought there could be a rich narrative
emerging that could have been portrayed quite powerfully and emotionally. As
you learn more about your data and its potential deployment representation-wise,
it may be that you realize a more analytical approach is more suitable.
Likewise, when we discover more about the extent of variety and potential in
a dataset, a topic we thought would lead to an explanatory piece may actually
evolve to be a more exploratory piece.
We are never fixed to our choices, but the quicker they are defined and the clearer
we are in our conviction the better the design will be served.
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