Envisioning Information
Dienstag, 18. April 2006 | Lost & Found
1. Escaping Flatland
 • Introduce multiple dimensions on a two-space surface, e.g., time, compounding, links, etc. • Focus on the point and not the Pridefully Obvious Presentation - good design strategies are transparent. • Study the variations, there are patterns to be found even in chaos. • Words are a strong deterrent to international communication, symbols convey messages to all. • A steady canvas makes for a clearer picture. • Multiple smallness of images allows local comparisons with the eyes. • Decorate construction, never construct decoration: Pugin. • Respect the audiences intelligence - construct high quality "maps" and avoid chartjunk and posterization. • The ducks of information design are false escapes from the Flatlands, adding pretend dimensions to impoverished data sets. 2. Micro/Macro Readings
 • To clarify, add detail. • Micro/macro information: visualization is condensed, slowed, and personalized. • Artificial boundaries can be a good for dividing up information. • Stem and leaf plots can save characters and give better visual comparisons. • Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information. 3. Layering and Separation
 • 1 + 1 = 3 or more (the space between 2 objects can create new objects - watch out for clutter.) • Visual relationships must be in relevant proportion and in harmony to the substance of ideas, evidence, or data conveyed. • Macro annotation can help explain micro detail. • Use light, color, size, space effectively. • Remove the weight, avoid vibration. • Clarity is not everything but there is little without it. • Unless deliberate obscurity is sought, avoid surround words with boxes and set type above graphics (fewer descending rather than ascending letters.) • Information consists of differences that make a difference. 4. Small Multiples
 • Comparisons... use a scope of alternatives, a range of options - show changes in data and not in data frames. • There is nothing as mysterious as a fact clearly described. • Comparisons must be enforced within the scope of the eyespan. • Flatlands within flatlands significantly deepen displays. 5. Color and Information
 • Above all, do no harm when bringing color to information. • Use color to label, to measure, to represent or imitate reality, and to enliven or decorate. • Large areas of glaring, rich colors or placing bright colors mixed with whites produce unpleasant, confusing results. • Color spots against a muted field highlight data and weave an overall harmony. 6. Narratives of Space and Time
 • Introduce multiple dimensions on a two-space surface, e.g., time, compounding, links, etc. • Focus on the point and not the Pridefully Obvious Presentation - good design strategies are transparent. • Study the variations, there are patterns to be found even in chaos. • Words are a strong deterrent to international communication, symbols convey messages to all. • A steady canvas makes for a clearer picture. • Multiple smallness of images allows local comparisons with the eyes. • Decorate construction, never construct decoration: Pugin. • Respect the audiences intelligence - construct high quality "maps" and avoid chartjunk and posterization. • The ducks of information design are false escapes from the Flatlands, adding pretend dimensions to impoverished data sets. 2. Micro/Macro Readings
 • To clarify, add detail. • Micro/macro information: visualization is condensed, slowed, and personalized. • Artificial boundaries can be a good for dividing up information. • Stem and leaf plots can save characters and give better visual comparisons. • Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information. 3. Layering and Separation
 • 1 + 1 = 3 or more (the space between 2 objects can create new objects - watch out for clutter.) • Visual relationships must be in relevant proportion and in harmony to the substance of ideas, evidence, or data conveyed. • Macro annotation can help explain micro detail. • Use light, color, size, space effectively. • Remove the weight, avoid vibration. • Clarity is not everything but there is little without it. • Unless deliberate obscurity is sought, avoid surround words with boxes and set type above graphics (fewer descending rather than ascending letters.) • Information consists of differences that make a difference. 4. Small Multiples
 • Comparisons... use a scope of alternatives, a range of options - show changes in data and not in data frames. • There is nothing as mysterious as a fact clearly described. • Comparisons must be enforced within the scope of the eyespan. • Flatlands within flatlands significantly deepen displays. 5. Color and Information
 • Above all, do no harm when bringing color to information. • Use color to label, to measure, to represent or imitate reality, and to enliven or decorate. • Large areas of glaring, rich colors or placing bright colors mixed with whites produce unpleasant, confusing results. • Color spots against a muted field highlight data and weave an overall harmony. 6. Narratives of Space and Time
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