What is the Data Ink Ratio?

Data Ink Ratio, defined by Edward Tufte, would be the amount of ink used to represent the data over the amount of ink on the dashboard


A higher data ink ratio means that more ink is dedicated to conveying information, leading to a clearer and more effective visualization.

To increase the data ink ratio, it is important to to limit the amount of chart junk on the visualization. Here are some methods on doing so:

1. Simplify Labels and Legends:

   - Use clear and concise labels that directly relate to the data.

   - Avoid unnecessary legends by incorporating labels directly into the visualization. For example, instead of an axis on a bar chart, we can have the values at the end of the bars. For more specific information that you want to include in the chart, leave them to tooltips.

2. Remove Non-Data Ink:

   - Eliminate gridlines and unnecessary borders that do not contribute to the viewer's understanding. Gridlines actually distract the viewer’s attention from the actual data.

   - Minimize the use of background colors and shading to focus attention on the data.

3. Choose Appropriate Chart Types:

   - Select the most suitable chart type for your data to avoid clutter and confusion.

   - Be cautious with 3D effects, as these can be quite difficult for the average viewer to understand and are often not the best at conveying information.

4. Limit Decorations and Embellishments:

   - Opt for a clean and minimalist design.

   - Remove decorative elements that do not add value to the interpretation of the data.

To maximize your data ink ratio

1. Prioritize Information Density:

   - Condense information to maximize the use of data ink.

   - Group related data points and use efficient encoding methods such as the use of color.

2. Highlight Key Insights:

   - Emphasize the most critical information by using appropriate colors or bolding certain data.

   - Direct the viewer's attention to key trends or outliers.

That is all for Data Ink!

Photo by Ludde Lorentz on Unsplash

Author:
Calvin Gao
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