Visualizing data is a crucial aspect of conveying complex information in a clear, succinct, and comprehensible manner. The traditional models of data visualization often consist of bar charts, pie graphs, and the likes. However, there is an entire alphabet soup of graph types that could provide alternate, unconventional pathways to communication. This article offers an unconventional guide to data visualization, looking beyond the familiar bar charts and pie graphs to decode the rich language of a variety of graphical representations that can enhance our understanding of the data we encounter.
At its most fundamental, data visualization is about simplification. It turns mountains of numbers into visual narratives that can be consumed at a glance. Yet, this field doesn’t require sticking with the same old standards; in fact, breaking away from the generic graph types can produce revealing images that tell a different, often richer story.
One such unconventional data visualization tool is the histogram. Unlike the ubiquitous bar chart that stacks the frequency of outcomes on a horizontal axis, the histogram organizes data into bins along a horizontal axis and displays frequency or counts of the numbers falling within each bin. This unique design allows for the visualization of distributions of continuous data, revealing patterns and anomalies far more effectively than a bar chart which is best used for discrete data.
Consider the radar chart, another non-traditional graph. Also known as a spider chart or star chart, it is perfect for comparing the attributes of several groups along multiple variables or dimensions. In a radar chart, each variable is represented as a vector, with lines extending from a common center to represent its value. This enables the immediate assessment of how groups vary in terms of each factor.
For illustrating relationships or trends over a timeline, a timeline chart or flowchart can go beyond your average graph. These are especially useful for depicting events and their temporal relationship or sequence. Such charts can connect data points spatially, helping viewers understand context and continuity.
Moving on to the heat maps, these are a vibrant contrast to the flat and static bar charts. Heat maps use color gradients to represent changes—typically, the value intensity can be visualized not just with height and color but also with intensity (for example, using intensity gradients) to create a powerful, multi-dimensional visualization tool.
Have you ever heard of a watermelon plot? It is actually a combination of two types: a water plot and a violin plot. It’s used primarily for the distributional comparison of one or two dependent variables by one categorical variable. The name comes from the shape of the plot, which resembles a watermelon split in half lengthwise—a unique way to depict complex relationships in a small space.
Another out-of-the-ordinary graph is the treemap. This hierarchical data structure is especially suitable for displaying a large nested set of items, such as a sales force or directory of organizations, in an interactive visualization. Each node in the tree can contain subnodes, which can be collapsed to reveal more detail or expanded to display fewer overall details.
For complex networks, the Sankey diagram is an invaluable resource. It shows the relative magnitudes of material, energy, cost or power through a process, using arrows to indicate the quantity flow from one element to another. The wider the arrow, the more significant the flow, and this graphical form is highly effective at communicating high-level data.
Incorporating unconventional data visualization methods into your repertoire can transform how you communicate data. They can enhance comprehension by presenting information that does not jump out in a traditional graph. These visual representations not only save time but can also inspire fresh insights.
At the end of the day, data visualization is all about the message you want to convey. If you are presenting the relative strengths and weaknesses of competitors, a radar chart serves perfectly. To show the progression of an historical event or an epidemic, a timeline or a Sankey diagram may be more appropriate. By choosing the right unconventional visualization, you can tap into an array of tools to create a visual language that resonates with your intended audience and conveys your data story in a unique and effective way.