Information Diagrams

Graphs - What they do?

Best suited for : Summarising statistical data
Least suited for : Listing specific data for immediate use
Often used as : Secondary visual elements
Key challenges : Accuracy and integrity, finding information
Key techniques : Visual data metaphors
Temptation to avoid : Failing to focus on a single main point

Probably the best statistical graphic ever drawn, this map by Charles Joseph Minard portrays the losses suffered by Napoleon's army in the Russian campaign of 1812. Beginning at the Polish-Russian border, the thick band shows the size of the army at each position. The path of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in the bitterly cold winter is depicted by the dark lower band, which is tied to temperature and time scales. Exquisitely printed in two colors on fine archival paper, 22” by 15”



Maps - What they do?

Best suited for : Expressing geographic relationships, labelling topics by place
Least suited for : Topics for which location or path insignificant
Often used as : Entry points within text occasionally secondary visual elements
Key challenges : Simplifying information
Key techniques : Visual data metaphors