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12-17-08: I have added some titles to go with my chart numbers, as well as, pointing out the good and bad in each chart.  Please feel free to add your own comments.

From USA Today inspired by the Tableau blog, check out these interesting charts.  Some of these charts are so over-the-top that I laughed out loud.

#1 - Waddayoulookingat?

Bad – 3-D effect puts these two images at about the same size.  One is set back farther and doesn’t start at zero.  Intended to send and will actually send are two completely different actions.

Good – Data labels.  Would a better depiction of the 2008 card be one where the person had a black eye, disheveled hat and a few other bruises simulating the economy lately?  Possibly a foreclosure sign in the background?

#2 MMMM Chips

Bad – where does the data start from (zero on x-axis).  The use of chips for data referring to fruit and fruit cup. 

Good – I’m not alone… value labels and not much else.

#3 Guitar Hero – Chart Edition

Bad – Is he wearing a dress or is there a 6th series? I would have to say the shading of the bars from light to dark.

Good – It’s a decent bar chart with good label use and starts at zero. This is one of the better ones.  Where would laziness fall?

 

#4 Who’s Smarter (it’s a joke people)

Bad – The grid lines on the paper.  They should have gone with blank white construction paper. 

Good – I actually like this one.  I think the reader can quickly see the difference and understand the point.

#5 Definitely Cheese Head

Bad – Tilted bar chart.  The shading of the streaking ball which was obviously overthrown. The color use is not good.  Definition of “Hot” may need to be a footnote.

Good – Data/value labels both inside and outside the bar aren’t too bad.

#6 ….Ummm….Pass….Next.

Bad – Just about everything from the font color to the cylinder bars.  Could they be more specific or at least have sub categories?

Good – Easy to understand title. The value labels.

#7 Darn Kids These Days…

Bad – Do you even need to ask?  Seriously, just about everything. 

Good – The value labels.

#8 Guns Shooting Sparklines

Bad – There appears to be fluctuations from zero to the value.  Should there be time across the bottom?  Sun background images behind the values labels.  Can they define Smartphone?

Good – The chart title is easy to understand.

#9 Poll Done by Unbiased Gravy Producer

Bad – Does the area count towards the value?  Shadow of the “bars”.  Jumbled labels that are hard to read.  Poor title choice.

Good – Good contrast with the title font. The value labels are easy to read.

#10 Obviously These Parents Haven’t Seen The Game – Vice City

Bad – Beside being a pie chart (I think), the title is poor.  The value labels are hard to read.  It took me a long time to figure out the image is of a video game controller (again, I think).

Good – At least the values add up to 100%.

#11 Whole New Meaning to Split Ends

Bad – Just about everything including, but not limited to the title, attempt at bars, highlighting at the end and starting point.

Good – Somebody thinks outside the box at USA Today. 

   

Which one is your most/least favorite? My picks are #4 / #6 (really all of them)

Do you think any of these are actually good and would be effective?  I would go with #4, if I had to pick one.  Also, I am definitely guilty (and in the majority) on #2.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 7:30 am and is filed under Analytics, Chartjunk, Tony, Visualization. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.