Fundamentals of Data Visualization

Chapter 2. Visualizing Data: Mapping Data onto Aesthetics

Whenever we visualize data, we take data values and convert them in a systematic and logical way into the visual elements that make up the final graphic. Even though there are many different types of data visualizations, and on first glance a scatterplot, a pie chart, and a heatmap don’t seem to have much in common, all these visualizations can be described with a common language that captures how data values are turned into blobs of ink on paper or colored pixels on a screen. The key insight is the following: all data visualizations map data values into quantifiable features of the resulting graphic. We refer to these features as aesthetics.

Aesthetics and Types of Data

Aesthetics describe every aspect of a given graphical element. A few examples are provided in Figure 2-1. A critical component of every graphical element is of course its position, which describes where the element is located. In standard 2D graphics, we describe positions by an x and y value, but other coordinate systems and one- or three-dimensional visualizations are possible. Next, all graphical elements have a shape, a size, and a color. Even if we are preparing a black-and-white drawing, graphical elements need to have a color to be visible: for example, black if the background is white or white if the background is black. Finally, to the extent we are using lines to visualize data, these lines may have different widths or dash–dot patterns. Beyond ...