1. Unlocking information through data visualisation - Some case studies in using SVG Alistair Calder (& Alan Smith) Office for National Statistics United Kingdom

2. Scalable Vector Graphics - SVG
A new and open format for vector graphics on the web
Data format;
XML-based;
World Wide Web Consortium recommendation;
Open standard so not tied to proprietary tools;

3. SVG - some initial technical points
Data format;
Displayed in browsers using a plug-in;
Small file size;
Vectors means superior controllable printing;
Cascading stylesheets separate content from appearance
Interactivity and animation can be introduced through JavaScript in the client.

4. effective data graphics have been sadly lacking

5. effective data graphics have been sadly lacking

6. effective data graphics have been sadly lacking

7. effective data graphics have been sadly lacking

8. SVG - Summary A file format - not tied to proprietary tools;
Small file sizes (often just a few Kb) - perfect for the Internet;
Scalable;
Fully scriptable for interactivity - but at the client end;
Easy to build templates & design properly to standards;
Stylesheets provide the same graphic to multiple media;
An emerging open standard;
Easy to drive direct from separately held data; XML;
…..so transferable
Equally capable of handling vector and raster data.

9. BUT NEEDS A PLUG IN Can cause problems for some organisations
…… long term support in Internet Explorer ???

10. firefox 1.5
opera 9
safari
the future = GRADUAL NATIVE BROWSER SUPPORT (no plug-in)
[internet explorer…?]

11. but remember - svg is a fraudster
svg isn’t responsible for any of the sexy stuff
ECMAScript/Javascript/DOM
SMIL
Cascading Style Sheets
XML/XSLT
web developers should know about this stuff already
open standards reduce the risk
= open
standards

12. Conclusions
Still some outstanding questions to answer - but key messages to date :
Use of interactive graphics - and the effective combination of maps with other types of graphics - can be a extremely powerful in levering information out of complex data;
SVG not a complete solution but enormous potential;
Critical need for standards and real care in the way such graphics are designed and used.

13. Interested? Have a look at the CD
Ask for a copy of the new CD (May 2006)
Contact us at