Rules… and when to break them

What are the rules?

Some basics

• Amount of ink used to represent a value should be proportional to the value

• Use the simplest representation you can to convey the data

Some basics

• Balance complexity and cognitive load

• Grid lines are helpful, but not too many

• Show data + summary statistics (if not too crowded)

• Use direct labels instead of legends (where space allows)

Some basics

Use the typical range of the data/measurement for context

Some basics

Aspect ratios are important!

Color Choices

• Categorical scales: Use no more than 7 categories

• Leverage common associations

• Transition through a neutral color (white/light yellow)

• Vary hue or lightness/saturation, but not both

  • Hue:
  • Saturation:
  • Lightness:

Case Study: Color Schemes

Single-Hue

Rainbow

Perceptually Uniform

Turbo (Better Rainbow)

Case Study: Polar Charts