In the previous chapter, we learned about the anatomy of a data visualization. This provided a framework to recognize and consider all the different design decisions you're faced with as well as guidance for how you might rationalize the choices you make.
In this chapter, we specifically revisit the data representation layer. This was described as the most critical layer of the visualization design task. It is also probably the most difficult to master.
In this chapter, we'll look at a taxonomy of data visualization methods as defined by the primary communication purpose. Within this taxonomy we will see an organized collection of some of the most common chart types and graphical methods being used today.
By exploring this array of chart types you will get a better understanding of the relationship between the stories you are trying to portray, the physicality of your data, and the visual variables through which we can represent them. It will...