Visual storytelling is becoming an increasingly popular way of conveying complex information, especially in the age of digital media. One such powerful tool for visual storytelling is the Sankey chart. A Sankey chart, also known as a gage, is a type of bar chart that uses interconnected bars to represent the flow of data or information. They are particularly useful for displaying quantities that are related in a specific direction, and they can be used to create a visual narrative or flowchart.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the power of simple data connections and how you can use a Sankey chart to unlock your visual storytelling potential. By following these simple steps, you can create a Sankey chart that not only conveys your information effectively but also tells a compelling story.
Step 1: Understand Your Data and Choose Your Flow Direction
Before you can start creating a Sankey chart, it’s important to understand the data you want to convey and the flow direction they represent. Think about the direction in which the flow of your data is going – from left to right, from top to bottom, downwards or upwards – and choose your flow direction accordingly.
For example, if you’re showing the flow of goods or money from one location to another in a business, you should create a Sankey chart with a flow direction that goes from left to right.
Step 2: Create the Bars
The bars of a Sankey chart represent the quantities of data that are flowing through a particular direction. You can use different colors or symbols to differentiate between the types of data being represented.
In a Sankey chart, the bars can also be arranged in a flow chart format, for example, we can use the left column for the input flow, middle column for the middle flow and right column for the output flow. Each flow direction will have different bars representing the different quantities of data in that flow.
Step 3: Add Legends
Legends add more details to your Sankey chart, telling you what each color of bar represents. You can add different colors to represent the different types of data being represented. For example, if you’re showing the flow of goods between two different locations, you can use different colors such as one color for the input, one for the middle flow, and another for the output.
Step 4: Customize the Layout
Once you have your bars and legends in place, you can customize the layout of your Sankey chart to make it look more professional and appealing. You can use different font sizes, different font styles, and different colors to make your chart more visually appealing.
Example:
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[Figure 1]
In 2015, I started a company to sell online course on programming. I developed the first four online courses and sold them for a total of \$500. After selling the first four online courses, I started developing the course on JavaScript next. I developed the course and it was released a month later. I sold the course for a total of \$1200. After releasing the JavaScript course, I developed the HTML course and the CSS course. HTML course was released three months later. I sold HTML course for a total of \$1500 and CSS course for \$500. Total amount earned from my course was \$4800.
- Input (left column): $500
- Middle flow (middle column): $1200
- Output (right column): $4500
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In summary, the Sankey chart is a great tool for visual storytelling as it offers a simple way of visualizing complex data. With the right flow direction, bar arrangement, legends, and customization, you can create a Sankey chart that tells a compelling story. Use your imagination and creativity to come up with interesting and thought-provoking data, and you will have a Sankey chart that engages your audience and conveys your message effectively.
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.
