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

animationinteractivity

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 workflowspirit of ‘ink and paper’

open standards

easy to share

data viz standardsmore and lotsso what is ons going to do?

share with youdemonstratorsxml schema

=collaborate?borrow from you

Sneak Preview…

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questions?

alan.smith@ons.gsi.gov.uk