Strength in numbers

Data communicates complex concepts, trends and patterns in an impactful way. Data visualization allows us to make dense information clear, accessible and easy to understand. It tells stories that no other medium can.

Download data visualization kit
Adobe Illustrator file

Data visualization

We use data visualization across a wide range of media, including ePubs, online, social media and presentations.

Chart system elements

Our charts and graphs are composed of three core elements: hatch fills, colors and typography. Use these core elements to help you illustrate your data story.

Hatch fills
Hatch fills should be kept to black and gray, or white if used on a dark background. The hatch-fill treatment should be used for non-highlighted or neutral areas in your charts.
Color
Choose a single accent color paired with black, gray or hatch lines for a single graphic or grouping of related graphics. Refer to our brand color palette for precise values.
Typography
Use typographic hierarchy of size, weight, contrast, position and alignment to communicate and visualize your data story.

Types of charts

There are different types of charts that range from simple line and bar charts to custom-created visualizations. The type of chart you use depends primarily on two things: the data you want to communicate and what you want to convey about that data. Here are a couple common chart styles for point of reference when producing your charts.

Line chart
Best for showing how the value of something changes over time or comparing how several things change over time, relative to each other.
Bar chart
Best for showing segments of information. There are three types of bar charts: single, stacked and clustered. All three can be on a horizontal or vertical layout.
Pie chart
Best for showing the sum of the individual parts if they add up to a total of 100%.
Donut chart
Best for showing one or more data series that you want to plot when they add up to a total of 100%.
Bubble chart
Best for visualizing relationships between three or more numeric variables.
Typography
Best for calling out numbers and data points in large font.

Mistakes to avoid

Using multiple accent colors
Choose a single accent color paired with black and gray for a single graphic or grouping of related graphics.
Using colored hatch fills
Hatch fills should be kept to black and gray, or white if used on a dark background. The hatch-fill treatment should be used for non-highlighted or neutral areas.
Getting too complex
Avoid creating visualizations that are overly complex and hard to understand at a glance. Create a clear visual hierarchy using the content and goals of the graphic as a guide.

Explore examples

View a selection of approved usage featuring different types of graph visualizations.