A Blog Around The Clock

Well, the first thing I see is that their vertical scale does not start at zero, but at $1, which exaggerates the difference between the data items. Beyond that, there are clarity/visual design problems, such as the unnecessary world map background.

Posted by: Kevin C. | July 26, 2008 7:54 PM

There is vertical scaling, for which an explicit scale stands to the left, as well as horizontal scaling, since the columns get wider, with no explicit scale, as well as implied depth scaling, as the implied volumes get larger, again with no explicit scale.

It is flat out wrong to use a three dimensional object to scale a single dimension. Dots at the data points would have been unambiguous.

This may be due to some artsy-fartsy helper wanting to make the graph more decorative. I would not assume anything deliberately sinister like the 'food pyramid' -- where a list of categories is turned into a three dimensional figure with no dimension scaled or labeled.

Posted by: Ken Shabby | July 26, 2008 8:42 PM

Oh Gods, the colours... Seattle and Chicago just disappear into the murk.

I don't mind them using condoms as bars, but they really do need to make them the same width ('coz that's what's important). They also need to dump the dollar signs on the y-axis, and give it a label. And start it at zero (as Kevin C.) has pointed out. And not have a labelled tick at every dollar. Use less, and have a slightly larger text size.

The grid lines and map are just clutter: I might not mind the map if the graph was aimed at the general public (e.g. in a newspaper), but the condom colours need to be strong enough to dominate it.

The title is barely informative: I understand the gist of what the graph is about, but more details need to be given somewhere (again, if its in a newspaper, it might be OK in the main text). Mind you, it might be better to have a more accurate title: "Prices of 12 packs of Durex elite condoms around the world" perhaps.

Personally, I would flip it round so that the price is on the x-axis: it makes the names of the places easier to read. It also means that the y-axis can be extended in size, so that the text is larger. The plot should look OK at the size Bora has it, but I think the labels would be difficult to see even with a better quality graphic.

I might also have the US cities in different colours: it depends a bit on what the graph is trying to show, and how it would look.

Finally, why just England? It isn't even an administrative unit! It makes one wonder why Scotland and Wales have been excluded.

Aside from that, it's fine.

Posted by: Bob O'H | July 27, 2008 4:04 AM