Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
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Quick answers
When should I pick D3 custom craft?
When the story is: novel forms, research figures, bespoke explainers.
When should I avoid D3 custom craft?
Skip it in cases like: a Chart.js bar already answers the manager question.
Who invented or popularised it?
Mike Bostock D3 (2011) - still the craft backbone of custom viz
What does it encode?
data joins to SVG/Canvas marks with explicit scales
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
D3 custom craft encodes values as data joins to SVG/Canvas marks with explicit scales. Mike Bostock D3 (2011) - still the craft backbone of custom viz.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits novel forms, research figures, bespoke explainers. Skip it when a Chart.js bar already answers the manager question.
Principles
- Encoding — The core mark of D3 custom craft is data joins to SVG/Canvas marks with explicit scales.
- History — Mike Bostock D3 (2011) - still the craft backbone of custom viz
- Fit — novel forms, research figures, bespoke explainers
- Shared baseline — The eye compares length and position more accurately than area.
- Audience — PowerPoint, Excel or Google Sheets and Meta, Google and retail print share the same geometry.
Misconceptions
- Pretty equals true — Decoration rarely persuades; it slows reading.
- 3-D helps — Perspective distortion wrecks comparison. Keep it flat.
- More series is richer — Do not stack stories. One D3 custom craft, one claim.
- Default palette is fine — Rainbow defaults fail color-blind viewers and grey print. Change Excel or Google Sheets defaults.
Why it matters
- Work — Work: novel forms, research figures, bespoke explainers. Readable in four minutes in PowerPoint.
- Ads — Ads: one number and one shape speak first in Meta, Google and retail print.
- School — School: for lab reports and poster boards, pick the form that answers the rubric.
- Craft — Craft: honour data joins to SVG/Canvas marks with explicit scales and decoration falls away.
D3 custom craft: honour data joins to SVG/Canvas marks with explicit scales, and switch when a Chart.js bar already answers the manager question.