Why a map isn’t always your best choice for a data viz

Layout and design principles to follow

• Give them more than a map. Provide them with clear facts on the total scope of the issue, and what matters the most.
  
• Consider dimensions that maps can’t easily communicate, like time. Time is one of the most important features of any data visualization. It tells us when something happened or will happen, and whether we still have time to act.
  
• Add detail that allows people to get to the heart of the matter. Whether it involves point-and-click descents into detail, or subsequent pages, you’ll want to give your audience the opportunity to choose different journeys into the information, and return with what they need.

With those principles in mind, you’ll indulge everyone’s desire to dominate the world…and maybe you’ll just end up helping people focus on important things, too.