Dynamic Data Graphics
Alan Smith
ONS Geography
1869: ink and paper
2005: microsoft excel
respect the principles of good design
1. data with a story
2. data-ink ratio
3. ‘chart junk’
4. scaling
5. media-appropriate…
media: PAPER v WEB
“It is interesting that people often stress the
weakness of online media… But no one ever
complained that paper lacks animation and
interactivity”
web: RESOLUTION
“Vector is more correcter”
web: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
viewing environment uncertain
permanency?
no portability
web: opportunities for DYNAMIC graphics
data-driven, live updates
linking and sharing
flexible structure
animation
interactivity
web animation: BAD reputation
‘ You want to read the words or view the
images that you have navigated toward
and the animation is vying for your
attention like a nagging girlfriend.’
BREAKING NEWS: animation is more than scrolling headlines…
how to REALLY use animation
so what else have ONS been doing?
it’s good to share
technology: graphics must be like words
native to browser(s)
flexible workflow
spirit of ‘ink and paper’
open standards
easy to share
so what is ons going to do?
data vizand
standards
more
lots
xml schema
demonstrators
share with you
borrow from you
=collaborate?
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questions?
alan.smith@ons.gsi.gov.uk