Information graphs provide us with new ways to understand and think about information. It contains a large number of different categories of visual materials, through charts, maps, summary tables, data visualization and technical, teaching and scientific explanations, so that information graphs have the ability to communicate multiple channels. As we understand the growing need for a complex world, information graphs can become more valuable.
Recently, I spent most of the week ranking and judging the information charts that were submitted to Malofiej 18. Malofiej 18 is an annual event and global Summit held in Pamplona, Spain, by visual journalists and information graphic artists. There, I saw the design works with coherent themes, visual effects, easy to understand and convincing.
Here's a summary of some of my thoughts on what is a good visual chart. I would like to hear from you, please add your comments in the comments section.
provide new ways to observe and think
Federal budget Map (part)
Information can tell stories
The role of information graphs is to provide a new way to understand concepts, ideas, and data through visual language. Because our brains are born to be graphics, it's different from words in terms of how the information charts are interpreted. Often, visual material prompts us to think uniquely about information, and we can perceive new relationships, improve our analytical abilities, and form different interpretations. In the U.S. Federal budget section above, different sizes of currency flows and income and expenditure activities help viewers understand complex budget situations more easily.
The ups and downs of the movie box office
Many effective information graphs tell stories because they are often produced by visual journalists. The information graph may explain how a laser printer works or interprets the wings of bats in flight, and the story is there. I think that's what statistician John Tukey to say, he wrote: The main purpose of data analysis is to describe phenomena and not simply present facts. Stories come from a variety of data or descriptions, and provide background, topics, and points of interest to attract viewers.
At the top of this interactive visual chart, the New York Times told readers: "Summer blockbusters and holiday films make up the bulk of the box-office receipts of the year, and the Oscar-winning films tend to attract small audiences over the years, and the movie box office performance after inflation is deducted." "Look, this is the story."
Good organization of information
The trauma of Haiti's earthquake
A major aspect of an effective information graph is the organizational nature of the visual structure. The processing of visual information becomes easier when the information is combed and divided into segments (not all information graphs can be processed in this way, of course). According to cognitive studies, we can only remember four to five sensory units at the same time. The breakdown of information is exactly in line with our innate cognitive structure.
can be applied to multiple levels
Where are we staying?
I think it's important to note that an information graph applies at least two levels. At first glance, you want to give the reader a big graphic outline. At first glance, it would be nice to know the general picture immediately, such as the most important trend, the largest population center or a quick comparison. This will enable the audience to understand what the chart is about and what the subject is. Then the reader can analyze the next level, which involves the scrutiny and interaction of the details.
Proportional Accuracy
Spanish Cancer situation distribution (part)
In many charts, sketches, and analytic maps, various elements represent quantities, so accurate scales and ratios are important. If a columnar shape is one-fold longer than the other, the audience assumes that it is more than one times the number. When the area of a circle in a chart is half the size of another circle, we interpret it as a small circle that represents half the size of a circle. Although this is a simple concept, it is not easy to be precise, especially when using the surface notation to denote quantity. At this point you need to rely on the mathematical formula, not the idea of the eyes used.
Good visual design
Literature Organism (part)
The information is beautiful. An aesthetically pleasing information chart can reflect this beauty through good use of color, contrast, balance, movement, space, and topology. In the image above, the artist depicts Jack Kerouac's "On the road" structure by representing the beautiful flowers of chapters, sentences, and words. (Note: This picture proceeds from my work "visual language of the designer")
The screen is independent
Coffee drinks (part)
Although the information graph often accompanies the article or the text explanation, both are independent is not also good? That is, visual interpretation and supporting text. Our eyes and brains, by the way, instinctively see the contents of the screen first. If there is accompanying text, it is important to have a preliminary understanding of the information graph before the audience can see the accompanying text.
Well, that's what I think of the fascinating information graph theme. What do you think of it?
