Visualisation Foundations
Visualisation Foundations groups the core ideas a learner needs at the foundations stage. Work through the lessons in order when new to the area, or use them independently as a reference when implementing an analysis.
Learn the mechanism one decision at a time
Work through the lessons in order if the topic is new. If you already know the basics, open the specific leaf lesson that matches the operation, diagnostic or failure mode you need.
1Definition→
2Mechanism→
3Example→
4Diagnostic→
5Decision
Choose chart by analytical questionChoose chart by analytical question is a communication and diagnostic technique that maps data or results into a visual form. A useful visual makes comparisons easy, exposes uncertainty and supports the analytical question rather than merely decorating the report.
02Position, length, area and colour encodingsPosition, length, area and colour encodings changes how raw variables are represented for analysis or modelling. The transformation should preserve the information needed by the task while making assumptions explicit and reproducible.
03Bar, line, scatter and distribution plotsBar, line, scatter and distribution plots is a communication and diagnostic technique that maps data or results into a visual form. A useful visual makes comparisons easy, exposes uncertainty and supports the analytical question rather than merely decorating the report.
04Small multiples and facetingSmall multiples and faceting is a practical concept within Visualisation Foundations. It helps turn the broader workflow stage “Foundations” into an explicit analytical decision that can be explained, implemented and checked. The concept should be understood in terms of purpose, mechanism, assumptions, evidence and downstream consequences.
05Labels, scales and annotationsLabels, scales and annotations changes how raw variables are represented for analysis or modelling. The transformation should preserve the information needed by the task while making assumptions explicit and reproducible.
06Avoid misleading visualisationsAvoid misleading visualisations is a communication and diagnostic technique that maps data or results into a visual form. A useful visual makes comparisons easy, exposes uncertainty and supports the analytical question rather than merely decorating the report.