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Graphic Portrayal of Information

This document discusses the history and theory of information graphics. [1] William Playfair created the first statistical graphs in 1786. [2] Jacques Bertin's 1967 work systematically classified visual variables and linked data to visual elements. [3] Edward Tufte promoted graphical excellence, integrity, and elegance through simplicity, showing data variation, and maximizing ideas with minimal ink. Tufte emphasized escaping flatland and using small multiples to effectively convey information and stories through visualizations.

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Sonia Hays
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264 views17 pages

Graphic Portrayal of Information

This document discusses the history and theory of information graphics. [1] William Playfair created the first statistical graphs in 1786. [2] Jacques Bertin's 1967 work systematically classified visual variables and linked data to visual elements. [3] Edward Tufte promoted graphical excellence, integrity, and elegance through simplicity, showing data variation, and maximizing ideas with minimal ink. Tufte emphasized escaping flatland and using small multiples to effectively convey information and stories through visualizations.

Uploaded by

Sonia Hays
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Graphic Portrayal of Information

Theories of Graphics
Extensions in Practice
Why Graphics Theory Matters
Origins of Theory

1786 - William Playfair The Commercial and Political Atlas

1967/1983 - Jacques Bertin The Semiology of Graphics

1983 - Edward Tufte The Visual Display of Quantitative Information


Playfair’s Contributions
Playfair first published
The Commercial and
Political Atlas in 1786, in
London. It contained 43
time series plots and one
bar chart, a form
apparently introduced in
this work. It has been
described as the first
major work to contain
statistical graphs.
Bertin’s Contributions

Jacques Bertin’s monumental Semiology of Graphics


(1967/1983) systematically classified the use of visual
elements to display data and relationships.
Bertin's system consists of seven visual variables: position,
form , orientation, color, texture, value, and size, combined
with a visual semantics for linking data attributes to visual
elements.
Jacques Bertin in 1997
Bertin’s Retinal Properties

 so called
because the
retina of the
eye is
sensitive to
them, place
independent of
the position of
the object
Evolution of Theory
1796 -Playfair

1967 Bertin

Classic Graphics Computer Graphics

1983 Tufte

Information Visualization
Tufte
Graphical Excellence

 that which gives the viewer the


greatest number of ideas in the
shortest time with the least ink in the
smallest space
Graphical Integrity

 representation of numbers should be


directly proportional to the numerical
quantities represented
 clear, detailed, and thorough labeling
should be used to defeat graphical
distortion and ambiguity
 show data variation, not design
variation
 graphics must not quote out of context
Graphical elegance

 is found
 in simplicity of design
 and complexity of data
Envisioning Information

 Escaping Flatland
 Micro/Macro Readings
 Layering and Separation
 Small Multiples
 Color and Information
 Narratives of Space and Time
Visual Explanations

 Images and Quantities


 Visual and Statistical Thinking:
Displays of Evidence for Making
Decisions
 The Smallest Effective Distance
Tufte's Rules, after Casselman, abridged
http://www.ams.org/new-in-math/cover/visual1.html

 Tone down secondary elements of a picture: layer


the figure to produce a visual hierarchy.
 Replace coded labels in the figure by direct ones.
 Produce emphasis by using the smallest possible
effective distinctions.
 Eliminate all unnecessary parts of a figure.
 Use small multiples: numerous repetitions of a
single figure with slight variations.
 Make the graphics carry a story.
Theory in Practice
Theory in Practice
Effective graphical data portrayal
Can be critical
in many situations

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