Simplified Grammar of Graphics

Creating a Humble Chart

Start with Data

Area Sales

North 5

East 25

West 15

South 20

Central 10

Data

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) = Areay (Quantitative) = Sales

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) = Areay (Q) = Sales

x - position y - barscale - 200 x 200

x y

20

40

100

140

180

Geometric & Scale

Choose a Coordinate

x y

1 5

2 25

3 15

4 20

5 10

Aesthetics

x (N) = Areay (Q) = Sales

x y

20

60

100

140

180

Geometric & Scale

cartesian

Coordinate

x - position y - barscale - 200 x 200

Points Line Bar

Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger CoordinatesCartesian

Example #1

x

y

Coordinates: Cartesian

x

y

Dot Plot Line Chart Column Chart

WaterfallStacked Column

Points Line Bar

Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger CoordinatesCartesian - Flip

Example #2

y

x

Coordinates: Cartesian FlipDot Plot Line Chart Bar Chart

CascadeStacked Bar

y

x

Points Line Bar

Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger CoordinatesPolar - x

Example #3

r

θ

x = θy = r

Coordinate: Polar - x

r

θ

x = θy = r

Marked Radar Line Radar? CoxComb

Polar Waterfall?Bullseye

Points Line Bar

Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger CoordinatesPolar - Y

Example #4

r

θ

x = ry = θ

Coordinate: Polar - y

r

θ

x = ry = θ

Target? Wind Rose? Wind Rose

Polar Cascade?Pie Chart

Amit Kapoor@amitkapsPartner, narrativeVIZ Consultingamit@narrativeviz.com

Find this presentation and more athttp://narrativeviz.com/playbook