Comments on: Sparklines – can less be more in data visualization? http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2009/09/22/sparklines-can-less-be-more-in-data-visualization/ The IMA blog is a space to discuss everything related to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:32:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ed http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2009/09/22/sparklines-can-less-be-more-in-data-visualization/comment-page-1/#comment-52897 Ed Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:38:26 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/?p=8337#comment-52897 Tim, thanks for your insight. One good example using the model that you mentioned is the stats sparkline on Flickr, which shows views on your photos over time. Clicking on that sparkline loads up the stats page, where activity can be explored in more detail. While the general trend can be interesting, it's even more enlightening to drill down and see where an influx of views came from. This sort of combination might also serve both the general public, interested in trends in general and specifics when something significant happens, and experts who might be more interested in monitoring small changes on a regular basis. Tim, thanks for your insight. One good example using the model that you mentioned is the stats sparkline on Flickr, which shows views on your photos over time. Clicking on that sparkline loads up the stats page, where activity can be explored in more detail. While the general trend can be interesting, it’s even more enlightening to drill down and see where an influx of views came from.

This sort of combination might also serve both the general public, interested in trends in general and specifics when something significant happens, and experts who might be more interested in monitoring small changes on a regular basis.

]]> By: Tim http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2009/09/22/sparklines-can-less-be-more-in-data-visualization/comment-page-1/#comment-52878 Tim Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:15:41 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/?p=8337#comment-52878 The problem with sparklines, as with all simple time series, is the lack of context. Large shifts can be readily seen, but small waves may or may not be relevant, due to inevitable randomness. Sparklines are too small to permit the addition of control lines that would clearly indicate when fluctuation is unusual, and when it's just the universe jittering. Sparklines work better, I think, when they're merely pointers and not being used as KPIs in their own right. They should send us to the data for more interpretation rather than hold much meaning in themselves. The problem with sparklines, as with all simple time series, is the lack of context. Large shifts can be readily seen, but small waves may or may not be relevant, due to inevitable randomness. Sparklines are too small to permit the addition of control lines that would clearly indicate when fluctuation is unusual, and when it’s just the universe jittering. Sparklines work better, I think, when they’re merely pointers and not being used as KPIs in their own right. They should send us to the data for more interpretation rather than hold much meaning in themselves.

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