5 replies to this topic

[frax]

So what do you think about these?
 diamonds.jpg   40.09K   618 downloads
Africa development diamonds, page 2 (there's actually two pages, I just chose to upload the 2nd, since the first didn't contain the legend)

I am a little bit torn. I think it could have been presented more effectively by using color, which might have not been an option for this publication (it is from a World Bank publication on Africa statistics).

I think they should have asked themselves if they really needed to present a comparison using four parameters. Imagine if you did this with a 2d scatter chart instead: parameter 1 = axis x, parameter 2 = axis y, parameter 3 = size of dot, parameter 4 = color/shading.

[Kartograph]

So what do you think about these?

I think: You did the best you could. But if you can do them any other way, where the data is seperated like you suggested, do it.
It looks smart and clean, but I needed 5 minutes to figure it out. And it´s not very easy to compare.

[frax]

just a note, I didn't do them - I just found them in a report, and found them interesting and fascinating, although I am not sure they are the best way to communicate the information.

[Kartograph]

I see. I thought you were ordered to do them that way.
I really think they look tidy but are essentially useless in regards to information.

[margaret]

Interesting! But you know I've never understood the attraction of multivariate point symbols, be they diamonds or faces or bull's eyes or whatever. Multivariate points give you no overall visual pattern of information across a map, the way multivariate area symbolization does. Nor do they give you measure, because you can't actually get numbers from them, the way you could get number if they were, for example, little graphs. But maybe there is some redeeming value to them that another Cartotalker has discovered?

[Kartograph]

But maybe there is some redeeming value to them that another Cartotalker has discovered?

It looks smart, and alludes to the triangle-like graphics. It´s an exec thing, I guess.

I totally concur, there are to many things to compare at once. Building up a graphic variable meta-pattern, where you can focus on colour at first, then at something like form and so on would be much more useful.