Every Major Chart Type and When to Use It

Summary

This video explores different types of charts used for data visualization, categorizing them into four groups: Forgettable (not useful, not cool), Workhorses (useful but not cool), Show offs (cool but not useful), and All Stars (useful and cool). The speaker evaluates charts such as pie charts, line charts, and scatterplots, explaining their strengths and weaknesses. Key charts like waterfall charts and heat maps are highlighted for their effectiveness and visual appeal. The video serves as a guide to help viewers choose the most suitable chart for their data presentations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Safety diagrams are useful for showing flow, but are rarely used in real presentations.
• 😀 Sunburst charts are interesting but not always intuitive; tree depth charts are a better alternative.
• 😀 Stacked column charts are useful but can become visually complicated and misused with too many categories.
• 😀 Poor diagrams show relationships but are often too complicated to be effective.
• 😀 Radar charts are visually appealing but can be misleading if categories are ordered or weighted incorrectly.
• 😀 Forgettable charts like pie charts, dot charts, and bullet charts are neither useful nor cool.
• 😀 Workhorse charts like bar charts, line charts, and column charts are reliable and widely applicable.
• 😀 Show-off charts such as Sankey diagrams, ribbon charts, sunburst charts, and bubble charts are cool but not always useful.
• 😀 All Star charts like waterfall charts, Neko charts, heat maps, and scatter plots are both visually appealing and functional.
• 😀 Choosing the right chart depends on its usefulness and clarity in conveying the message.
• 😀 Empire charts offers a free trial, and more training resources are available through Analyst Academy.

Q & A

What are safety diagrams and why are they considered impractical for everyday use?

Safety diagrams show the flow of things, such as the revenue breakdown for Spotify. However, they are not commonly used in real presentations due to their limited practical application and complexity.

How do sunburst charts differ from pie charts, and why might they be less intuitive?

Sunburst charts are like pie charts but have multiple layers representing different categories. While they are visually interesting, they can be difficult to interpret because of their complexity, which is why the speaker prefers tree depth charts.

Why are stacked column charts not always a good choice for visualizing data?

Stacked column charts can become complicated when there are too many categories. The visual representation may become cluttered and inaccurate, making it harder to interpret the data clearly.

What is the issue with Sankey diagrams, despite their potential for showing relationships?

Sankey diagrams are useful for visualizing relationships between things, but they often become too complex and difficult to understand when overused or when there are too many variables, leading to confusion.

How do radar charts (spider charts) work, and what are their limitations?

Radar charts plot data points on a set of axes originating from a central location and connect them to form a 'web.' Their limitations include the risk of distortion due to the order of categories and the issue of equally weighting categories, which may not be suitable in all cases.

What distinguishes 'workhorse' charts from other types of charts?

'Workhorse' charts, such as bar charts, line charts, and column charts, are considered universally useful and reliable. These charts can be applied in most situations without much risk of misrepresentation or confusion.

Why are pie charts, dot charts, and bullet charts classified as 'forgettable'?

Pie charts, dot charts, and bullet charts are seen as ineffective and unappealing because they don't provide much clarity or usefulness in presenting data. They are typically avoided in favor of more practical and engaging chart types.

What are 'show-off' charts, and why might they not be suitable for all situations?

'Show-off' charts, such as Sankey diagrams, ribbon charts, and sunburst charts, are visually impressive but may not always provide useful insights due to their complexity and potential for misuse.

What makes waterfall charts, neko charts, heat maps, and scatterplots 'All-Star' charts?

These charts are considered 'All-Stars' because they are both useful and visually appealing. Waterfall charts, neko charts, heat maps, and scatterplots provide clear and insightful data representations while maintaining an engaging visual aesthetic.

Why should the order of categories in radar charts be considered carefully?

The order of categories in radar charts can significantly affect the shape of the chart and may distort the message. It's important to arrange categories thoughtfully to avoid misleading visual representations of the data.