How do you create infinite data visualizations. Is it a science that you can learn or an art that comes through experience. Well, there is a grammar of graphics, which can provide you a way to think about the science around creating a graphic. Here is a simplified grammar of graphics to get you started.

1. Simplified Grammar of
Graphics
Creating a Humble Chart

2. Start with Data
Area Sales
North 5
East 25
West 15
South 20
Central 10
Data

3. Map the Aesthetics
Area Sales
North 5
East 25
West 15
South 20
Central 10
Data
x y
1 5
2 25
3 15
4 20
5 10
Aesthetics
x (Nominal) = Area
y (Quantitative) = Sales

4. Encode Geometric & Scale
Area Sales
North 5
East 25
West 15
South 20
Central 10
Data
x y
1 5
2 25
3 15
4 20
5 10
Aesthetics
x (N) = Area
y (Q) = Sales
x - position
y - bar
scale - 200 x 200
x y
20
40
100
140
180
Geometric
& Scale

5. Choose a Coordinate
x y
1 5
2 25
3 15
4 20
5 10
Aesthetics
x (N) = Area
y (Q) = Sales
x y
20
60
100
140
180
Geometric &
Scale
cartesian
Coordinate
x - position
y - bar
scale - 200 x 200

6. Points Line Bar
Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger Coordinates
Cartesian
Example #1
x
y

7. Coordinates: Cartesian
x
y
Dot Plot Line Chart Column Chart
WaterfallStacked Column

8. Points Line Bar
Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger Coordinates
Cartesian - Flip
Example #2
y
x

9. Coordinates: Cartesian Flip
Dot Plot Line Chart Bar Chart
CascadeStacked Bar
y
x

10. Points Line Bar
Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger Coordinates
Polar - x
Example #3
r
θ
x = θ
y = r

11. Coordinate: Polar - x
r
θ
x = θ
y = r
Marked Radar Line Radar? CoxComb
Polar Waterfall?Bullseye

12. Points Line Bar
Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger Coordinates
Polar - Y
Example #4
r
θ
x = r
y = θ

13. Coordinate: Polar - y
r
θ
x = r
y = θ
Target? Wind Rose? Wind Rose
Polar Cascade?Pie Chart

14. Amit Kapoor
@amitkaps
Partner, narrativeVIZ Consulting
amit@narrativeviz.com
Find this presentation and more at
http://narrativeviz.com/playbook