Communications Graphics
Matthew P. Murgio
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY, NY
1969
P3     .5     .M8

Notes from review:
(page) note

(21) do not chart (unless expected / required) ideas which are (purely) abstract, very simple (why waste time showing something everyone knows), very specific(       ), or familiar material (everyone knows it already)

(25) time progression (of any type of chart, but better if simple)

(29-31) chart is used to: expand perception, summarize, clarify, provide visual clarity...all of which are types or ends of effective communication

(61+) column types: simple, connected, grouped, subdivided, floating, deviation (from average), rande (like floating)

(68+) line types: "step", line, surface, multi-surface (plotted in absolute #s), mmulti-surface 100% chart (plotted in %s), band chart (ie, difference between cost and revenue plots, use different colors).  last is also known as a an intersecting bad chart

(82) "line definition" use a log scale for multiple series, or divide by some number (but not this number on the graph).   this prevents a few out-lying points from forcing reduced resolution for the rest of the series

(83) don't use multiple scales with different zero points unless absolutely necessary, and if you must, point this out and make it clear!

(91) percentages change over time...be clear in your reference!  500 to 400 = -20%, 400 to 300 = -25%, 500 to 300 = -40% (2 * -20% of original amount)

(98) labeling - direct on series / bars / points.  series labels withing the plot area must be placed where it is clear to which series each label is referring!

(104) acronyms - use only if well known, to intended audience or all  (sometimes to save space).  

(107) use of "perspective" is drawing or chart objects can look nice, but generally is not worth the time / effort to implement.  and, even if done just right, will ususally detract from the users interpretation of you message

(138) color - contrast vs closeness -> pleasing to the eye is subjective.  try associative or trends of colors: as in temperatures (red/hot to yellow/warm to blue/cold) or orders or series (early/lt. gray to now/med gray to future/black).  this can be done with colors or gray scale.

typical trends / associations:

heat - red orange yellow
water - blue
earth - brown
plants - green
petroleum products - black, dark gray, light gray, off-white, yellow (natural gas), etc.

color keying / codingcomplicated data sets or "3rd dimension" on a 2-D graph

(138) use spot color for standout informations or hihg-lighting

(202) fill - geological profiles example

(end) great "sources" section at end to see what is available

(general) many examples of variations on standard graph types

END