Graph Quote by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
““The biggest shift was from a bar graph to a line graph. As we’ve discussed, line graphs typically make it easier to see trends over time. This shift also has the effect of visually reducing discrete elements, because the data that was previously five bars has been reduced to a single line with the end points highlighted. When we consider the full data being plotted, we’ve gone from 25 bars to 4 lines. The organization of the data as a line graph allows the use of a single x-axis that can be leveraged across all of the categories. This simplifies the processing of the information (rather than seeing the years in a legend at the left and then having to translate across the various groups of bars).””
About This Quote
Source Book: Storytelling with Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, 2015
Switching from bar to line graphs highlights trends, reduces visual clutter, and unifies axes for easier comparison across categories.
In simple terms: Line graphs clarify trends and simplify data comparison.
Key Takeaway
Use line graphs to reveal patterns and streamline visual analysis.
Themes
data visualization
clarity
trend analysis
Mood
analytical
focused
Type
educational
practical
When to use this quote
- presentations
- business reports
- dashboard design
- academic lectures
Key Concepts
visual perception
information design
Questions to Reflect On
- How might important outliers be missed?
- When is a bar graph preferable?
A Different Perspective
Line graphs may hide individual data point details, potentially oversimplifying complex datasets.
