EDS 240: Lecture 9.2

Alternative chart type practice (waffles, bump charts & stream graphs)

Week 9 | March 4th, 2026

Waffle charts offer an alternative way to show parts-to-whole relationships

Image source: How to visualise your data: parts-to-whole charts, by Tom McKenzie

A square for every observation

Anyone may report a Bigfoot sighting to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). TidyTuesday featured these compiled BFRO reports on 2022-09-13.


Or a proportional waffle (each square = 1%)

Anyone may report a Bigfoot sighting to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). TidyTuesday featured these compiled BFRO reports on 2022-09-13.


Bump charts offer a way to visualize changes in rank over time

G-20 countries ranked by actual carbon dioxide emissions per captia, by Tim Brock | Image source: The Ferlage Twins

European flight ranking, by Albert Rapp

Bump chart for showing changes in highest paying occupations

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data on occupations and earnings. TidyTuesday featured these compiled data on 2019-03-05.


Stream graphs offer an alternative to stacked area charts for showing evolution

Image source: Streamgraphs: how to make them and what you need to know

Stream graphs for showing US energy capacity through time

Berkeley Lab’s “Utility-Scale Solar, 2021 Edition” provides data on energy capacity by type (e.g. solar, wind, gas, etc.) in the United States. TidyTuesday featured these compiled data on 2022-05-03.


Practice building viz!


Choose at least one of the prior three examples to recreate using AI tools:

  • Sasquatch sighting waffle chart
  • Occupation salary bump chart
  • Energy capacity stream graph

Think carefully about what context your tool(s) of choice needs to recreate the plot. As you work, note where AI excelled, where it struggled, and how your process might differ from building a graphic by hand.


A (minimal) template is available on the week 9 course website page. The key will be shared after class.

Take a Break

05:00