Pie & donut encodes values as angle (and area) of a circle slice. Playfair 1801; Florence Nightingale’s coxcomb is a polar cousin, 1858.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole. Skip it when many similar slices, 3-D pie, or comparing two pies.
This page gathers anatomy, fit, craft, failure modes and work / ads / school recipes for Pie & donut.
Profile
Seven chapters
The idea
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. History. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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Anatomy
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. Mark. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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When to use
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. Fit. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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Craft
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. Rules. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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Mistakes
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. Failure modes. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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Studio
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. Work. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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Tools
A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply. Software. two to five parts that sum to a meaningful whole.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I pick Pie & donut?
When should I avoid Pie & donut?
Who invented or popularised it?
What does it encode?
Is it OK in ads?
Will a teacher accept it?
Which tool?
How do I keep it accessible?
Related
▭ Treemap
Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke.
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▮ Bar chart
Compare categories on a shared baseline — the default honest chart for reports, ads and assignments.
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📣 Ads & creative
Shapes that must work at a glance — badges, arrows, crops and a single number that sells.
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