Sankey charts are a type of data visualization that has gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to effectively represent flow and connections between different entities. These charts use arrows, or “sankey flows,” to show the movement of quantities from one set of values to another, making it easy to see how different components contribute to a larger picture.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using sankey charts and go over some best practices for creating them. We’ll also look at some applications where sankey charts are particularly useful, and provide some examples to illustrate their power.
Understanding Sankey Charts
Sankey charts get their name from the Scottish engineer Hottinger Sankey, who is credited with developing the first visual representation of energy flow in 1898. Today, sankey charts are used to visualize a wide range of flows, including energy, money, and resources.
Benefits of Sankey Charts
- Visualization of Complex Flows: Sankey charts are particularly effective at depicting complex data flows and relationships. By using different colors and widths for the arrows, it’s easy to see which components are contributing the most to the overall flow.
- Easy Comparison: With a large collection of sankey flow diagrams, it’s possible to compare multiple scenarios or data series and analyze how each one affects the larger picture.
- Attention-Grabbing: Because of their unique layout and aesthetics, sankey charts can be very visually appealing, drawing the viewer’s attention to important aspects of the data.
Best Practices for Creating Sankey Charts
- Start Simple: Begin with a simple layout using just a few nodes and connections. This will help you test your design and identify potential issues before adding too much complexity.
- Use Colors Wisely: Assign meaningful colors to different nodes and flows to make the chart more interpretable. Consider using the same color for consecutive sets within the same category to highlight the relationships between data points.
- Consider Flow Direction: The direction of the sankey flows (arrows) should be clearly indicated, and use a consistent direction (either all from left to right or right to left) to avoid confusion and make it easier to follow the flows.
- Limit Node Complexity: Avoid including too many nodes or connections. Sankey charts become difficult to read and understand when they become overly complicated.
- Use Legends and Tools: Provide a legend if there is a need for multiple colors to represent different categories. Use additional tools like tooltips to help viewers understand specific data points on hover.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts find their application across a breadth of sectors, be it business, economy, government, science, or social trends. Here are some specific examples:
- Energy Sector: Visualizing energy consumption patterns or renewable to non-renewable energy transfer could be very useful.
- Economic Flows: Sankey charts can show trade patterns, GDP contributions from different sectors, or financial flows like investments and debts between entities.
- Social Sciences: They can be used to show the movement of people between different locations, occupations, or social classes.
- Environmental Science: Environmental data, like water or air pollution flow, can be visualized to show the impact of various sources or interventions.
Example: Energy Usage Visualization
Consider a city’s energy consumption over time, including electricity, gas, and renewable energy sources. A sankey chart could show the movement of energy, with different colors representing the various energy sources. By following the sankey flows, one could quickly identify where the majority of renewable energy is being directed, and see how the city’s total energy consumption changes over the years.
Conclusion
Sankey charts offer a unique way to visualize flows and connections in a wide variety of data sets. With careful design and consideration for the audience, these charts can be both powerful and visually engaging. Whether you are analyzing energy usage patterns, following the path of financial flows, or understanding complex social data flows, sankey charts provide a clear and intuitive way to share insights and tell stories through data.
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