How do you create infinite data visualizations. Is it a science that you can learn or an art that comes through experience. Well, there is a grammar of graphics, which can provide you a way to think about the science around creating a graphic. Here is a simplified grammar of graphics to get you started.
3. Map the Aesthetics
Area Sales
North 5
East 25
West 15
South 20
Central 10
Data
x y
1 5
2 25
3 15
4 20
5 10
Aesthetics
x (Nominal) = Area
y (Quantitative) = Sales
4. Encode Geometric & Scale
Area Sales
North 5
East 25
West 15
South 20
Central 10
Data
x y
1 5
2 25
3 15
4 20
5 10
Aesthetics
x (N) = Area
y (Q) = Sales
x - position
y - bar
scale - 200 x 200
x y
20
40
100
140
180
Geometric
& Scale
5. Choose a Coordinate
x y
1 5
2 25
3 15
4 20
5 10
Aesthetics
x (N) = Area
y (Q) = Sales
x y
20
60
100
140
180
Geometric &
Scale
cartesian
Coordinate
x - position
y - bar
scale - 200 x 200
6. Points Line Bar
Bar - Stacked Bar - Stagger Coordinates
Cartesian
Example #1
x
y