The difference between line and bar would depend if on how well your period can be associated together and how many periods you are trying to showcase. (Ex: you have a year and your data is in days a line will be more useful than 365 bars, but if your data is in quarters, 4 bars will be more readable than a line). The most important thing to remember is readability.

Dot Matrix: study a market/competition

I’m not always a fan of theses representations as they can always be broken down in smaller charts. The important thing for this chart is that you are using two independent series for axis and trying to show something that is not obvious. (Ex: if you put there, quality and price, it is already expected to find a relation, you are not proving anything unless one of the value stands out of the expected trend. Showcasing instead customer satisfaction and a number of features might deliver a piece of information not already known by your audience).

Why and how to use a matrix chart

Infographic chart: Connect your data with something real.

Your audience might not be an expert in reading a chart and it might constitute a pain point for them to read extensive dashboards. You can in these situations use an infographic chart. The important here is to maintain a shape that could be assimilated to an existing well-recognised type of chart.

Why an how to use an infographic

Step 3: Consolidate data, if needed.

With having a lot of simple graphics, you might end up in a situation where you either need to have 2 pieces of information together or provide details on global data. This is why people have invented stacked charts, combo chart, sunburn and other visual contraptions.

Stacked chart: For additive data

Rule: if you can add values from different series and it still make sense then it’s a GO. (Ex: admin cost + production cost = a bigger cost)

stacked bar chart example

Combined chart: for subtractable data

Rule: if adding value doesn’t make sense but substracting it does then it’s a GO. (Ex: revenue + expenses = a non sense, but revenue — expenses = profit)

combi bar chart example

Combo chart: if data is not calculable

Rule: if your data is related but not expressed in the same unit then it’s a GO. (Ex: Revenue and % of margin are related but of different unit)

combo chart example

Sunburn: For dividable data

Rule: if you have your data can be divided into a subgroup and stacked chart is not an option, then it’s a GO. (Ex: the % of women customer in each country we sales is a dividable data and a stacked chart is not looking like the best option for it)

sunburn chart example

One last word on consolidated charts.

This type of graphics can be useful and can be designed to preserve readability, but it’s important to remember your chart must deliver a piece of information. The only case where you would be entitled to create a chart without a clear insight would be for a dashboard where the representation serves a controlling purpose.

Step 4: colours and legends

Finally, we can make sure our colours and legends are right. There have been many works already done on this matter, I would recommend you to read “Finding the Right Color Palettes for Data Visualizations” from Samantha Zhang on Graphiq

I will simply resume here the best practices:

_You should always have a legend and write as much as possible

_You should always use a gradient with discernable colours.

selection of colour palette for chart

Recap

_Make sure your chart is delivering simple information.

_Make sure the scale is respected.

_Deliver the actual data.

_Make sure colour follows a gradient.

_Ensure Readability