colorful data » circles http://www.colorful-data.net information design Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:59:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 correct scaling http://www.colorful-data.net/correct-scaling/ http://www.colorful-data.net/correct-scaling/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:56:36 +0000 paul http://www.colorful-data.net/?p=216 Although this issue seems to be quite obvious, I frequently notice it being done the wrong way.

Comparing numerical values by illustrating them as shapes, especially circles, needs to be done with the area in mind, not only a one-dimensional value that defines this shape. A circle is drawn with a radius, so another circle depicting a multiple of the value the first one is representing may not only have this multiple radius. It should have the corresponding area.

Another more extreme example showing how a circle with 25 times the radius can’t be a symbol for 25 times the size:

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