Small Multiples

A principle introduced by Edward Tufte [Tufte, 1983, 1990].
Small Multiples are small, thumbnail-sized representations of multiple images displayed all at once, which allows the reader to immediately, and in parallel, compare the inter-frame differences.

Illustrations of postage-stamp size are indexed by category or a label, sequenced over time like the frames of a movie, or ordered by a quantitative variable not used in the single image itself.

[Tufte, 1990]

They typically appear as sets of thumbnail sized graphics — using the same measures and scale — on a single page. They:

• Depict comparison, enhance dimensionality, motion, and are good for multivariate displays
• Invite comparison, contrasts, and show the scope of alternatives or range of options
• Can represent motion through ghosting of multiple images
• Are particularly useful in computers because they often permit the actual overlay of images, and rapid cycling.

External links

• http://www.edwardtufte.com/
• Luke Wroblewski, Small Multiples Within a User Interface
• Better Know a Visualization: Small Multiples By Zach Gemignani (April 19, 2010)

References

• [Gales, 1999] Larry Gales, Graphics and Web Design Based on Edward Tufte's Principles, Created at: 1999, Retrieved at: 2004. http://www.washington.edu/computing/training/561/zz-tufte.html
• [Garcia, 1994] Dan Garcia, Summary of Edward Tufte's Visualization Course, Created at: 1994, Retrieved at: Oct, 2005. http://http.cs.berkeley.edu/~ddgarcia/tufte.html
• [Tufte, 1983] Edward R. Tufte, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Graphics Press, Cheshire, CT 1983.
• [Tufte, 1990] Edward R. Tufte, Envisioning Information, Graphics Press, Cheshire, CT 1990.