Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Use R! ((USE R))

Abstract

Achieving effective network graphic design is not that different from any other type of information graphic. As Edward Tufte pointed out in his seminal The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, “Graphical excellence is that which gives to the viewer the greatest number of ideas in the shortest time with the least ink in the smallest space.” Network graphics actually start out with an important advantage in that they typically have a high information/ink ratio.

As with any graphic, networks are used in order to discover pertinent groups or to inform others of the groups and structures discovered. It is a good means of displaying structures. However, it ceases to be a means of discovery when the elements are numerous. The figure rapidly becomes complex, illegible and untransformable. (Jacques Bertin)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Luke, D.A. (2015). Effective Network Graphic Design. In: A User’s Guide to Network Analysis in R. Use R!. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23883-8_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics