Jorge Camoes’ Charts

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This is the time for scatter plots in the 10 x 10 charting tips series:

A scatter plot is square by definition (I forget that sometimes…);
In some cases, it makes more sense to use a scatter plot than two column charts: for example, instead of having a column chart to display product market […]

These are 10 basic tips for column and bar chart design:

A column chart is not a skyline: if you can’t see the individual patterns, consider removing some series or create several smaller charts;
If you are charting categorical data sort the columns; if there is more than one series, allow the user to sort the data […]

I know, I know, no one likes pie charts, but I can’t ignore them. A pie chart compares proportions but it is of limited use: either the data is too complex and a pie chart can’t handle it, or it is too simple and you should just use a table. So, the first […]

This is the second of 10 posts where I’m listing tips for better charts. Please take a look at the first post where the project is discussed. These are my chart formatting tips:

Use the right chart type for the data and the problem;
Apply sound design principles;
Use color strategically: mute axis and grid lines […]

This is the first in a series of 10 posts where I’ll suggest a (hopefully) coherent set of tips to improve our charts and, more important, to improve the way we make sense of the data. These are the planned posts:

General charting;
Formating;
Column/Bar charts;
Line charts;
Scatterplots (XY charts);
Pie charts;
Other chart formats;
Dynamic charts;
Dashboards;
Miscellaneous tips;
Bonus post: online resources.

These will […]