Rating: 4.6/5
Graphical representation of data is the closes thing to art I have at my day job so this topic always interests me! In the age of information overload, we need to be meticulous in the data we present and understand what it means. Tufte’s book is a clean read about the organization and design of information. It teaches you the principles of good design and the importance of graphical competence which is “substantive, statistical, and artistic”. Tufte challenges us to hold graphical excellence to a higher standard of upholding truth rather than focusing on distracting decoration.
Insights/Thoughts
- The observation of how the type of graph used (i.e. map comparisons) can bias your data (i.e. only focusing on geographic regions/borders) was something I didn’t think about until I really thought about it. Made me more aware about how the types of graphs I use can highlight or skew data.
- “Graphical excellence is nearly always multivariate” – I think I do present univariate graphs out of pure laziness. I CAN DO BETTER!
- Tufte observes that when mass publications employ people with low graphical competence but high design skills, these results are data that lie, uninspiring designs, missed insights. I find that this is also my problem as well. I can present data that tells a story but I do not practice the deep data analysis skills enough to make statistical aha moments. Graphical competence is a skill I want to improve, specifically statistical literacy
- One of Tufte’s principles is to “Erase non-data-ink, within reason” but also to use redundancy to give context and order to complexity; “aesthetic balance”. I think the key word here is “within reason”, having the balance between reducing non-data-ink and also providing enough detail is important when people are trying to understand the graphical data
- On new ways of displaying data – the idea that people cannot understand complex data is insulting. Providing proper training and adjustment periods for decluttered visuals is something that requires patience, and a bit of stubbornness on the analyst/designer’s part.
- On proportion and scale: the shape of graphics – Tufte elaborates on how graphics should be drawn typically (horizontally, greater in length than height), how words should be read from left to right. The purpose of design is to absorb material easier and logically following our natural faculties, like wow how interesting is that!
Favourite Quotes
Graphical excellence is that which gives to the viewer the greatest number of ideas in the shortest time with the least ink in the smallest space…graphical excellence requires telling the truth about the data. Everyone spoke of an information overload, but what there was in fact was a non-information overload. Good design has two key elements: graphical elegance is often found in simplicity of design and complexity of data. Design is a choice…What is to be sought in designs for the display of information is the clear portrayal of complexity. Not the complication of the simple; rather the task of the designer is to give visual access to the subtle and the difficult – that is, the revelation of the complex.