This chart lacks a 0 on the y-axis, making it difficult to accurately assess the relative differences between groups, which affects its truthfulness. There is also ambiguity in what the numbers on the bars represent (i.e., total percent each year, increase in percent for the latter year, etc.). The angled text complicates readability. Additionally, the chart’s design may introduce bias, as the gun imagery could evoke an emotional response that detracts from an insightful and enlightening analysis of the data.
This chart is misleading (untruthful) because the size of the figures distorts the actual differences in average male height between countries, exaggerating the disparities. For example, it makes it seem like males from the Netherlands are many times taller than males from Indonesia, where in actuality there is just a 10 inch difference. If the chart had a 0 point on the y-axis, this would be apparent.
This map is truthful in that it accurately represents the 2016 presidential election results by precinct, providing a detailed and granular view of the data. The use of color to differentiate between the candidates’ support levels is functional, allowing viewers to quickly identify voting patterns across the country. However, the map is not insightful or enlightening, as the large areas of red are misleading due to the geographic distribution of voters, obscuring the importance of population density.
This map is more insightful and enlightening than the previous one because it represents the 2016 election results by county using bubble sizes to reflect population density, making it clearer where the votes are concentrated. The use of color and bubble size is functional, helping viewers immediately grasp the relative support for each candidate across different regions. It remains truthful, as it accurately represents both geographic and population data without distorting the relative importance of less populated areas.
The chart, while accurate and well-designed, requires high cognitive load to grasp what is being presented. The overlapping lines and the use of multiple similar colors can make it difficult to distinguish between the age groups. Additionally, the title “40 is the new 20” is catchy but might not immediately clarify the chart’s specific focus on birth rate trends across different age groups. This could make the chart less functional and insightful for a general audience.
This chart effectively communicates the truthful and insightful pattern of wildfires discovered each day of the year since 2014, highlighting a clear spike on July 5th. The design is functional in its simplicity, using a histogram that allows viewers to easily compare the number of wildfires across different days. The labeling of the significant spike adds an enlightening element, drawing attention to the impact of post-July 4th activities on wildfire occurrences.
This chart is a highly effective and insightful visual representation of the concept of “flattening the curve” during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is truthful in illustrating the potential outcomes of the pandemic with and without protective measures, clearly showing how the spread of the virus can be managed to stay within the healthcare system’s capacity. The use of contrasting colors for the curves and the healthcare system capacity line is functional, making the key message immediately apparent. The simplicity of the design, with minimal text and clear visual distinctions, also makes it beautiful and easy to understand. The chart is enlightening as it succinctly conveys the importance of slowing the spread of the virus, making it a powerful tool for public health communication.
This chart is truthful and insightful, presenting clear, data-driven actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon emissions, along with the corresponding impact of each action in terms of CO2e saved per year. The use of a horizontal bar chart is functional, allowing viewers to quickly compare the effectiveness of different actions. The color scheme and layout are beautiful and well-organized, with a clear distinction between actions and their impact, making the chart visually appealing and easy to understand. Additionally, the chart is enlightening, as it effectively conveys which actions have the most significant potential to reduce personal emissions, empowering viewers to make informed decisions about their behavior. The context provided at the top of the chart regarding global emission targets further enhances its educational value.
This set of charts is truthful and insightful, providing a detailed comparison of daily CO2 emissions across different countries for the years 2019 and 2020. The use of multiple small charts allows for functional comparisons between countries, showing both the trends over time and the impact of different factors on emissions. The inclusion of confidence intervals adds an important layer of uncertainty, making the data presentation truthful and scientifically robust. However, the complexity and the amount of information presented may overwhelm some viewers, potentially reducing its functionality for a broader audience. The charts are beautiful in their clean design and use of consistent color schemes, but they require careful examination to fully appreciate the insights they offer, which may limit their enlightening potential for quick, casual viewers. Adding more annotations or summarizing key takeaways could improve the chart’s accessibility and overall impact. This chart is from a scientific article, and is a good reminder that we, as scientists, should try to make our charts accessible to as wide an audience as possible (i.e., not just other scientists in the same field).
Click here to experience graphic.
This interactive chart is exemplary, fulfilling all five elements of effective data visualization. It visualizes historical data alongside projections for future temperature increases, offering a truthful and insightful understanding of global warming’s impact on specific locations. Uncertainty in the estimates is provided. The functional design allows users to personalize the data to their hometown, making the information relatable and enlightening for everyday users. The beautiful presentation directly demonstrates the urgent need for societal action on climate change, making the case for immediate action compelling and clear.
Summary of Element Scores for Each Chart (click on element name to sort)
Overall score is computed as the average of the 5 element scores
