Magnitude

Magnitude

Magnitude visualizations are graphs which show the size of something as compared to the size of something else.

My method:

First, I gather, clean up and plot the data. Then, I study the visualization I've created and I look for three things:

  1. Is there anything shown in the data that is not what I expected to find?

  2. Are there any big differences between the different things being measured? (Is one of them significantly bigger or smaller than the rest or are they all about the same size?)

  3. Follow-up question: Why is this the case?

Magnitude graphs are useful because they allow me to visualize numerical information within context. That helps me discern the practical meaning of the numbers. 

Exemplar Magnitude Data Visualization by David White

view on Tableau Public

work methods, data visualizationDavid White

2. Work Methods - Content | The work methods and processes that I use to complete and deploy my information design projects (detailed)