By Kaiser Fung in Business — 29 Mar 2008

Small multiples re-imagineered

This chart gave me trouble. I kept staring at it, staring. Searching for the legend. What could the several lines, in different colors, represent? Take a look yourself.

Well, it turns out all three graphs were duplicates. A different line was given dark blue to highlight a particular amusement park.

I have not seen this tactic used before. This is like a small multiples concept except that every chart contains the same data. Is it better than having just one chart?

Reference: "Will Disney Keep Us Amused?", New York Times, Feb 10 2008.

PS. [4/6/2008] Here are two alternative charts contributed by our readers. See comments below.

Derek suggested using sparklines: