http://forums.flowingdata.com/ Strength in Numbers en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:12:51 +0000 http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/creating-graphs-in-illustrator-quick-question#post-2511 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:02:49 +0000 eelert 2511@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hi!</p> <p>It does seem possible to change the shape of data points in Illustrator. Adobe has a nice tutorial: <a href="http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2at_chart_print.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2at_chart_print.html</a> </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/feedback-request-data-visualization-project#post-2323 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:03:38 +0000 carolinebeavon 2323@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hello, </p> <p>I have just completed the practical stage of my final MA Online Journalism project, and as I write my final report I see I have been reluctant to ask for feedback from the data visualization community on the work I have become so invested in. </p> <p>So in order to rectify that, here goes ... (deep breath)</p> <p><a href="http://www.cbviz.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.cbviz.co.uk</a></p> <p>The visualizations are all Flash animations (I am aware of the ongoing debate about the validity of this) and were produced with Tableau, Illustrator and Flash Professional CS5</p> <p>Any feedback/thoughts gladly accepted!</p> <p>Thank you</p> <p>Caroline Beavon<br /> @carolinebeavon </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/line-graphs-in-illustrator#post-2227 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:14:52 +0000 ajp 2227@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Thanks for the reply, Nathan.</p> <p>I actually thought of doing it the way you suggested, but in the interest of time I just created this one in Excel and then moved it into Illustrator to add headings and whatnot.</p> <p>Additionally, thanks for picking up on the issues with plotting actual counts (they're technically estimates, since actual counts only occur during the decennial census) vs. a projection with differing intervals. This, however, is the way my boss would like it done, so my hands are tied! However, I like the dotted line approach - I hadn't yet considered it. </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/line-graphs-in-illustrator#post-2225 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:28:43 +0000 nathany 2225@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hi ajp,</p> <p>Illustrator isn't the most flexible or programs for charting in terms of data handling. I mean, it has charting functionality, but it's not the main thing Illustrator does. That's why I do a lot of graphics in R first and then bring it into Illustrator for design and clarity.</p> <p>Anyways, the way I'd do this - and it's sort of a hack - is to create a graph for the 1990 to 2010 and then another for the projection. Then I'd align the axes of each, and take just the line from the projected and attach it to the actual time series. Finally, I'd extend the axis of the original time series to cover the full range from 1990 to 2040.</p> <p>Another thing to keep in mind for this is that you might not even want to make one continuous time series for actual and projected because the intervals are different. Now that I think about it, I think I would graph the actual with a line and use just points for the projected.</p> <p>hth. </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/line-graphs-in-illustrator#post-2223 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:01:22 +0000 ajp 2223@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>I have decided to replace Excel for graph-making with Illustrator CS5 and am having some trouble figuring out how to customize the x-axis.</p> <p>Basically, I have an annual time series of the population of a county between 1990 and 2010 and a projection of the population from 2010 to 2040, but at 5 year increments. I don't want to lose the information contained in the annualized time series between 1990 and 2010, but I'd prefer to not have to interpolate the years between my projected years (that's a lot of extra calculating and data entry).</p> <p>One idea I had was to simply leave 4 cells between each value after 2010. This works in the it places value markers in the proper place, but it doesn't connect them with a line.</p> <p>Can anyone help me overcome this issue? I'd like to not have to return to Excel, where this problem can be solved easily. Lastly, is it possible to tell Illustrator what kind of labels you're using? (i.e., days, minutes, years, percentages, etc.) </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/how-to-create-logarithmic-graph#post-1703 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:58:10 +0000 Novasphere 1703@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>@ ivyleaf</p> <p>Actually, the logarithmic function in Excel is very easy, here's the formula:</p> <p>=LOG10(cell reference with your original data)</p> <p>It gets more complicated if the scale is not base 10, but that's Excel's default, so probably this will work. You may have to play with your divisions a bit, but using a screen shot of an Excel graph as your guide should help.</p> <p>Cheers! </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/how-to-create-logarithmic-graph#post-1682 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:49:23 +0000 ivyleaf 1682@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Thanks for both your help! </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/how-to-create-logarithmic-graph#post-1679 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:43:25 +0000 Bobmcconn 1679@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>could you export a nice graph from Excel (or whatever) as a postscript or pdf file and pull that into Illustrator? It's cheating, in a way, but way easier.. </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/how-to-create-logarithmic-graph#post-1673 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:07:39 +0000 nathany 1673@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>you'd have to convert the y-values to the log scale (in Excel perhaps) and then put it in to illustrator. </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/how-to-create-logarithmic-graph#post-1672 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:25:15 +0000 ivyleaf 1672@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hi, I'm new to this forum. I just started a new job and have been tasked to figure out how to create a logarithmic graph in Illustrator... I can create a linear graph in Illustrator, but am at a loss on how to do a log-log or semi-log graph outside of Excel. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated!</p> <p>Thank you! </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/infographic-designerillustrator-needed-freelance-remoteoff-site#post-1619 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:22:39 +0000 Mike Matthews 1619@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Maark is currently looking for experienced infographic designers and illustrators to team up with for ongoing data visualization and business process mapping projects.</p> <p>This is a contract (freelance off-site) opportunity effective immediately. To apply, please send your portfolio to: <a href="mailto:mmatthews@maark.com" rel="nofollow">mmatthews@maark.com</a></p> <p>I look forward to reviewing your work and discussing the projects I have lined up in further detail.</p> <p>Best,<br /> Michael Matthews<br /> Design Director at Maark</p> <p>---<br /> If you're interested in learning more about us or our clients, please visit <a href="http://www.maark.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.maark.com</a> or feel free to contact me at <a href="mailto:mmatthews@maark.com" rel="nofollow">mmatthews@maark.com</a> </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/save-the-planet-with-your-visual-designs#post-1126 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:40:30 +0000 eaguevara 1126@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>About The Job</p> <p>We're looking for a rock star Senior Visual Designer to join our product development team. We seek a top-notch visual communicator, well-versed in designing for both screen and print for consumer products and services. </p> <p>You will work closely with a small team to shape the design of our web applications and print products, which include infographics and related tools to better understand and reduce energy use. Since our products have a strong emphasis on simple, compelling information design, successful candidates will have a strong appetite and knack for turning data into simple, clear images. This role includes the full range of responsibilities from concept development to art direction to design production, including coordinating with our internal software developers and external print production vendors. This position is a unique opportunity to impact the design of cutting-edge energy efficiency products that are seen by hundreds of thousands of people across the country and changing the way people think about and use energy. </p> <p>About You</p> <p>• You’re passionate about taking complex information and concepts, distilling them to their essence and making them visually sing.<br /> • You have advanced skills in information design, brand systems design, web/email/print design, user-interface front-end design, storytelling and identity. Experience with infographic design is a strongly preferred. Strong proficiency with Illustrator and Photoshop required<br /> • You thrive working in an entrepreneurial setting, where constant change is the norm. You have a strong ability to work as a member of a high-performance, multi-tasking team, including efficient time management of multiple projects and deadlines, ability to communicate to all levels within the organization, ability to analyze and problem solve and strong verbal and written communication skills.<br /> • Bachelor’s degree in advertising design, graphic design, communications design or commensurate experience with education.<br /> • You have a minimum of Five (5) years of visual design/advertising creative experience with significant creative management component and art direction background, ideally specializing in consumer products or services.<br /> • You demonstrate the ability to play a design leadership role across the product development team. Experience and interest in coaching other team members is a plus. </p> <p>Application Requirements<br /> • Only applicants who submit a portfolio will be considered. We prefer receiving a link to your portfolio, but you can also send it via zip file with your application.<br /> • All interested candidates will be required to submit a sample design assignment as part of the consideration process. </p> <p>About the Job:<br /> Do you want to be a pioneer in energy efficiency? Business Week named Positive Energy, one of the Top 50 Tech start-ups to know about. The Arlington, VA based company continues to expand their team! </p> <p>Founded in June 2007, Positive Energy (www.positiveenergyusa.com) creates innovative software products that promote energy efficiency by empowering residential consumers to make better decisions on their energy usage. Through a combination of home energy reports, carbon calculators, web applications, data analytics, and customer service tools, Positive Energy is reshaping the outlook on home energy demand and achieving unprecedented energy savings across hundreds of thousands of households. The company is well funded and making big headlines as they stay on track to saving enough energy to power a city of 75,000 homes and to reaching one million households by the end of 2009.</p> <p>To Apply, email your resume, cover letter, and portfolio links/samples to:<br /> <a href="mailto:41557-CS-2382@positiveenergyusa.hrmdirect.com" rel="nofollow">41557-CS-2382@positiveenergyusa.hrmdirect.com</a> </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-657 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:38:49 +0000 Dackle 657@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Dataspora thanks, I hadn't really gone beyond the basics with R's graphics. Cool that you demonstrated its capabilities with the PitchFX dataset! Couvares thanks for the link -- looks like a lot of interesting features to explore. </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-653 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:19:07 +0000 couvares 653@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>[Accidental double-post. Please delete.] </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-652 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:17:15 +0000 couvares 652@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>As an engineer at <a href="http://verifiable.com/" rel="nofollow">verifiable.com</a> (full disclosure), I'll take the opportunity to plug our tool.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.visiblecertainty.com/post/95812969/launch" rel="nofollow">This blog post</a> describes our focus and strengths. We launched last week and have a lot of additional features planned. Please <a href="http://feedback.verifiable.com" rel="nofollow">let us know</a> what you need added or changed to make it your tool of choice.</p> <p>...and here's a sample chart Flowing Data folks might appreciate:</p> <p><a title="verifiable.com" href="http://verifiable.com/charts/1528" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://images.verifiable.com/6GezJyCEVXEYqasxrbFjdLB9Ax4VjPWI.png" /></a></p> <p>We see the ability to replicate Minard as a kind of gold standard for visualization tools, and this is the beginning of our attempt. We're still working on it, but it's a great goalpost. </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-649 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:59:30 +0000 dataspora 649@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hi Dackle - Nathan named R as a dataviz tool in the post he referenced, so this is just a further refinement of two packages that are particular useful for nice-looking graphs in R:</p> <p>(1) Lattice - <a href="http://lmdvr.r-forge.r-project.org" rel="nofollow">http://lmdvr.r-forge.r-project.org</a><br /> (2) GGPlot2 - <a href="http://had.co.nz/ggplot2/" rel="nofollow">http://had.co.nz/ggplot2/</a></p> <p>The attached plot was created using lattice.</p> <p> [attachment=649,105] </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-642 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:45:20 +0000 nathany 642@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>No problem :) </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-640 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:51:28 +0000 Dackle 640@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Ah, Nathany, thanks, much appreciated. Manna from heaven :) </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-638 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:52:59 +0000 nathany 638@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hey Dackle, check out this post I wrote a while back:</p> <p><a href="http://flowingdata.com/2008/10/20/40-essential-tools-and-resources-to-visualize-data/" rel="nofollow">http://flowingdata.com/2008/10/20/40-essential-tools-and-resources-to-visualize-data/</a> </p> http://forums.flowingdata.com/topic/recommended-software#post-635 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:14:52 +0000 Dackle 635@http://forums.flowingdata.com/ <p>Hi, what would you say is the best piece of software for good-looking data visualization? Is it the case that a lot of the graphs posted on Flowing Data are done in Adobe Illustrator? Any other programs you'd recommend? I'm interested more in the visual appearance of the graph (not so concerned with number-crunching ability).</p> <p>Thanks </p>