The need to visualize data has originated in the research field, where it has been a useful tool to the study of scientific problems. However, the truth is that data visualization is a great way to present data for any area dealing with information, because visually presented information is more appealing due to its use pictograms and colours and also more efficient in conveying large amounts of information. Throughout the years, there have been efforts to develop a classification for these visualizations, in order to provide a better understanding of this way to present data. There are many different classifications proposed, but none of them are complete. This work discusses and develops a typology for online data visualization and infographics. Such a typology will be relevant for a better understanding of what kinds of visualizations exist and to better identify in further research which elements compose a good visualization that pleases the public.

1. 1
A Typology
for Data
Visualization
on the Web
Ana Figueiras
FCSH – Universidade Nova de Lisboa

2. 2
Visualizations
or Infographics
- All types of structured representation
of information (graphs, diagrams, maps,
information ilustrations, etc.)

3. 3
Challenges
Informative Efficient Aesthetic Stepping outside
default formats Introducing storytelling Conveying
huge sets of data Animation Available techniques
Modern data formats and data sets Visualizing
complex information...

4. 4
Why it is important to have a typology for visualizations?
Understanding all the pieces that compose a visualization and being able
to classify visualizations is important to evaluate the progress of the
maturing visualization field, to help focus and direct future research and
to help creating better visualizations that make use of the elements that
are essential for a visualization to be successful.

5. 5
Edward Segel
and Jeffrey
Heer
Magazine style; Annotated
chart; Partitioned poster; Flow
chart; Comic strip; Slide show;
Film/video/animation
Nichani and
Rajamanicka
m
Narrative; Instructive;
Explorative; Simulative
Ian Bogost,
Simon Ferrari
and Bobby
Schweizer
Graphs; Sequential graphics;
Maps; Diagrams

6. 6
Typology
200 visualizations 11 types or genres of data
visualization
●
Narrative elements
●
Captions; annotations; introductory text; accompany article;
text; title; audio narration; video narration.
●
Reading/viewing order
●
Linear; user-directed path.
●
Visual elements
●
Timeline; photograph; bar chart; pie chart; doughnut chart;
line chart; bubble chart; area chart; histogram; network
diagram; Venn diagram; tree diagram; object size
representing quantities; map; bubble map; pictogram;
drawing; speech balloon; model; table; logo; video; scale;
exploded view; tag cloud; pyramid; animation.
●
Interactive elements
●
input box; user contribution; slide show; navigation buttons;
scroll bar; objects reaction to mouse movement; search;
filtering; zoom; click details; click highlight; hover highlight;
hover details; link to external article; drag objects; game
mechanics.
Sequential Graphic Drawing
Slide Show Video/Animation
Chart/Diagram Photograph
Map Poster
Tag Cloud Game
Model

7. 7
Which elements are more prominent and which
influence more the interaction that the viewer/user
has with the visualization?
Video
Map
Bar charts
Animation
Pie charts
A Week of Check-ins on the Path to One Billion

8. 8
Ground Zero Now
Video
Exploded view
Model

9. 9
Make your own hurricane
Map
Animation
Scale
Game

10. 10
Case Studies

11. 11
UK riots timeline by The Guardian

12. 12
The World of Seven Billion by National Geographic

13. 13
Death penalty statistics, country by country by The Guardian

14. 14
Home and Away: Iraq and Afghanistan War Casualties by CNN

15. 15
What Does China Censor Online? by David McCandless

16. 16
Ground Zero Now by The New York Times

17. 17
How Many Households Are Like Yours? by The New York Times

18. 18
A Week of Check-ins on the Path to One Billion by Foursquare

19. 19
100 Years of World Cuisine by Clara Kayser-Bril, Nicolas Kayser-Bril and Marion Kotlarski

20. 20
How Local News Is Going Mobile Infographic by Column Five Media

21. 21
SPENT by McKinney

22. 22
Recap: How can we identify the
types of visualizations?
● Identify what influences the interaction that the
user/viewer has with the visualization
● Identify which visual elements are more
prominent on the visualization

23. 23
Ana Figueiras
mail@anafigueiras.com
@afigueiras