Flow in Full Color: The Art of Sankey Diagrams Unveiled

In the world of data visualization, many tools cater to presenting information efficiently and engagingly, but few can do so as artistically and informative as Sankey diagrams. These intuitive and colorful visual representations have been a fixture in engineering, design, and management for over a century. In this article, we delve into the art of Sankey diagram creation and their myriad applications, using vibrant hues and engaging compositions to bring their full potential to light.

A Brief History of Sankey Diagrams

The Sankey diagram was born from the prolific mind of Vilfredo Federico Damiano Sankey, an English Scientist and Engineer, who invented this visualization tool in the 1890s. Sankey diagrams were used at the outset to track the energy flow in engineering processes. Their simplicity and effectiveness have expanded their reach and application across various disciplines to monitor the flow and efficiency of resources, materials, and energy.

The Artistic Structure of Sankey Diagrams

1. Channels: These are the main pathways in the diagram through which materials or energy flow.

2. Bars or Bricks: These are typically located at the edges and indicate the source and destination points of the flow.

3. Thickness of the Lines: The thicker the line, the greater the flow being depicted.

4. Losses and Waste: Sankeys often show where some of the material or energy “leaks” away due to inefficiencies or conversion losses.

5. Colors: The use of rich, varied colors helps distinguish different types of flow, making even complex data sets easy to digest.

Creating Sankey Diagrams: The Process

1. Determine the Purpose: Start by understanding the purpose of the Sankey diagram. Is it about showcasing energy flow, material transportation, or data flows in a system?

2. Collect Data: Gather comprehensive data related to your chosen flow. Ensure that the dataset contains both inputs and outputs, including losses or inefficiencies.

3. Software Selection: Choose the right Sankey diagram software or tool to suit your needs. Many programs are available, such as Sankey Miser,draw.io, or specialized software like Visio.

4. Set Up Channels: Based on your collected data, set up the channels that your materials or energies will flow through. These could be individual processes, transportation routes, or various stages of a system.

5. Distribute Data: Plot the quantity of the flow into each channel. This results in the characteristic “fan” shape where inputs are narrow and outputs are wide, depending on their relative amounts.

6. Choose Colors: Pick appropriate colors to categorize different types of flows, and use gradients or different hues to reflect different intensities or aspects of the flow.

7. Refine and Review: After initial creation, review the diagram for clarity of information and presentation. Look for any misunderstandings or areas where the flow might not be correctly depicted.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

The versatility of Sankey diagrams allows them to be applied across various fields:

1. Environmental Science: Visualizing the distribution of greenhouse gases or analyzing the efficiency of renewable energy systems.

2. Engineering: Illustrating the pathways of energy use within a manufacturing process or comparing the efficiency of various energy sources in a power grid.

3. Financial Services: Tracking the flow of funds in an investment portfolio or budget.

4. Data Visualization for Software Development: Showing how data moves through an application or system and identifying bottlenecks.

5. Economic Analysis: Depicting the movement of goods or services in a supply chain or illustrating changes in economic trade patterns.

The Color Palette: Flow Through the Spectrum

Sankey diagrams can tell an intricate story with their full-color palettes, which often range from the natural tones of minerals to the neon effulgence of energy. This spectrum of color represents not only the diversity of flows being depicted but also their importance and impact.

The artistic nature of Sankey diagrams lies not only in their visual appeal but also in their capacity to transform complex systems into comprehensible narratives. They are a testament to the fusion of art and data, where every line and curve speaks volumes about the subject matter at hand.

So, whether in a boardroom, conference room, or research lab, Sankey diagrams offer a vivid and engaging way to understand the flow of resources, materials, and information. As we continue to harness the power of visualization in our quest to interpret and manage complexity, the art of the Sankey diagram is sure to stand out as a bright light in our arsenal of full-color data storytelling.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.