VizWorld.com

Juice Analytics has a great writeup of Edward Tufte’s “Small Multiples” concept, using many small iconic visualizations to replace large overly complex ones.

Small multiples can show rich, multi-dimensional data without trying to cram all that information into a single, overly-complex chart. Small multiples go by many names, including Trellis Chart, Lattice Chart, Grid Chart, and Panel Chart. I would even argue that sparklines are a simpler, smaller cousin of small multiples

Along the way he shows many examples and references from the likes of Many Eyes, Stephen Few, and Tableau.  Definitely worth a read;

via Better Know a Visualization: Small Multiples: Juice Analytics.

Science stephen few, tufte

At the upcoming PureShare User Group 2010 at The Mirage in March, the keynote address will come from visualization guru Stephen Few.

Christopher Dean, PureShare CEO, said: “We are thrilled to provide our customers with the opportunity to learn from Stephen Few, whose data visualization concepts are guiding the way that PureShare products enable customers to deliver proactive metrics in place of traditional reports.”

We’ve included several of Stephen Few’s books in our Resource Of The Week, such as “Now You See It“.

via Stephen Few to Headline at PureShare User Group 2010.

Science conference, pureshare, stephen few

In a recent article in BusinessWeek, Maria Popova discusses the work of Aaron Koblin and how data visualization is becoming a more prominent part of the business strategies of several companies.  Stephen Few took a look at it are saw that while it’s a well-intentioned article, there are several problem with it and sets out to correct them in his blog.

“Has nothing to do with pie charts and bar graphs”? I would gladly support any effort to dismiss pie charts (with a few exceptions), but the notion that bar graphs and other traditional displays of quantitative data have nothing to do with data visualization is just plain silly. No one who understands data visualization and has done any work in the field would make such a statement, nor would they go on to say that unlike quantitative graphs, “data visualization…is an interpretation, a different way to look at and think about data that often exposes complex pattern or correlations.”

It’s a well thought-out piece with several key points.  Plus, it’s signed.

via Visual Business Intelligence – Data Visualization: Keeping the Story Straight.

Graphics, Science business, infovis, opinion, stephen few

For those of you who have never heard of Stephen Few, author of this week’s Recommended Resource, an article by him on Information Management does a great job demonstrating his writing style and the many problems with data visualization in business.

In the world of business, the damage done by bad graphics has reached epidemic proportions, but so far only a few voices are being raised in warning. Bad graphics act as a virus that stealthily destroys information with little notice. Sadly, most business intelligence (BI) software vendors aren’t helping matters. They are busy throwing Botox parties, encouraging the popularity of cosmetic dazzle rather than fitness programs for healthy business communication.

It’s an older article, from 2005, but still applicable in so many ways.

via Bad Graphs: The Stealth Virus.

Science business, editorial, stephen few