"Bar charts are effective at displaying magnitude comparisons because they require readers to make visual interpretations in one dimension only - the length (or height) of its constituent rectangles. This is usually a good thing - it’s simple to interpret and, combined with full-length tick marks, makes comparing values quick and easy. However, condensing all differences between the data being compared into a one-dimensional axis can present chart readers with problems of interpretation when there are very big differences - of many orders of magnitude - in the data being presented." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"Before even thinking about charts, it should be recognised that the table on its own is extremely useful. Its clear structure, with destination regions organised in columns and origins in rows, allows the reader to quickly look up any value - including totals - quickly and precisely. That’s what tables are good for. The deficiency of the table, however, is in identifying patterns within the data. Trying to understand the relationships between the numbers is difficult because, to compare the numbers with each other, the reader needs to store a lot of information in working memory, creating what psychologists refer to as a high 'cognitive load'." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"For a chart to be truly insightful, context is crucial because it provides us with the visual answer to an important question - 'compared with what'? No number on its own is inherently big or small – we need context to make that judgement. Common contextual comparisons in charts are provided by time ('compared with last year...') and place ('compared with the north...'). With ranking, context is provided by relative performance ('compared with our rivals...')." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"Just because an interesting fact is made of numbers, it doesn’t mean we have to show it on a chart. Much time and effort spent worrying about how to dress up a dull chart could be saved by realising that some data comparisons should be explained succinctly using words alone." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"Our visual perception is context-dependent; we are not good at seeing things in isolation." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"[...] there is no such thing as a perfect chart. Every chart is a design compromise, aiming to emphasise the most important relationships in a set of numbers at the expense of the less important."(Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"Scatterplots are valuable because, without having to inspect each individual point, we can see overall aggregate patterns in potentially thousands of data points. But does this density of information come at a price - just how easy are they to read? [...] The truth is such charts can shed light on complex stories in a way words alone - or simpler charts you might be more familiar with - cannot." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"Statistics are not necessarily a good determinant of underlying causes, but they can help you spot patterns - just make sure they’re helpful ones." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
"[...] using columns for time series data is a technique to be used sparingly. Data should be relatively sparse (if the above chart showed quarterly rather than annual data over the same period, the columns would simply be too thin) and the fewer data series the better (ideally just one)."
"Whatever approach you take, it’s always a good idea to define a range of reusable colour palettes so you don’t need to face the same colour design problems every time you want to create a chart or map. There will always be exceptions that require a different treatment, but it’s good to have a solid default starting point." (Alan Smith, "How Charts Work: Understand and explain data with confidence", 2022)
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