Design Patterns

Chart Design Patterns

Proven recipes for building clear, accessible, and visually striking data visualizations.

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Bar Chart Best Practices

Baseline at zero, consistent gap widths, and sorted categories for instant readability.

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Line Chart Rhythm

Time on x-axis, no more than four series, and direct labeling over legends.

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Pie & Donut Rules

Five slices max, largest segment at 12 o'clock, and avoid 3D distortions.

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Color Accessibility

Use the violet-to-pink gradient for emphasis. Ensure 3:1 contrast on all data elements.

Quick Reference

  • Always start bar charts at zero — truncated axes mislead.
  • Use sequential palettes for continuous data, diverging for bipolar.
  • Tooltips should show exact values — never force mental math.