Jacques Bertin Quotes

Jacques Bertin was a French cartographer and theorist, known from his book Semiologie Graphique , published in 1967. This monumental work, based on his experience as a cartographer and geographer, represents the first and widest intent to provide a theoretical foundation to Information Visualization.

✵ 27. July 1918 – 3. May 2010
Jacques Bertin photo
Jacques Bertin: 20   quotes 1   like

Famous Jacques Bertin Quotes

“If, in order to obtain a correct and complete answer to a given question, all other things being equal, one construction requires a shorter observation time than another construction, we can say that it is more efficient for this question.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 139: Bertin’s definition of efficiency as cited in: Naomi B. Robbins (2009) Creating More Effective Graphs http://www.ssc.ca/ottawa/documents/SSO2009FallRobbins.pdf

“The aim of the graphic is to make the relationship among previously defined sets appear.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 176

Jacques Bertin Quotes about doubt

“Information is the reply to a question.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 11

“There are as many types of questions as components in the information.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 10

“[Overall level questions involved an] understanding of the deep structure of the data being presented in their totality, usually comparing trends and seeing groupings.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 16; as cited in: Stacy Kathryn Keller (2008) Levels of Line Graph Question Interpretation.... p. 6

Jacques Bertin Quotes

“[The special properties of visual perception of data]… is the visual means of resolving logical problems.”

Source: Graphics and graphic information processing (1981), p. 16 as cited in: Riccardo Mazza (2004) Introduction to Information Visualisation http://www.dti.supsi.ch/~mazza/infovis_introduction.pdf

“[Bertin's 'color' refers to] the repertoire of colored sensations which can be produced at equal value.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 61, as cited in: Jörg von Engelhardt (2002). The Language of Graphics: : A Framework for the Analysis of Syntax and Meaning in Maps, Charts and Diagrams. p. 27

“The use of computers shouldn’t ignore the objectives of graphics, that are:”

Treating data to get information.
Communicating, when necessary, the information obtained.
Computers are able to multiply useless images without taking into account that, by definition, every graphic corresponds to a table. This table allows you to think about three basic questions that go from the particular to the general level. When this last one receives an answer, you have answers for all of them. Understanding means accessing the general level and discovering significant grouping (patterns). Consequently, the function of a graphic is answering the three following questions:
Which are the X,Y, Z components of the data table? (What it’s all about?)
What are the groups in X, in Y that Z builds? (What the information at the general level is?
What are the exceptions?
These questions can be applied to every kind of problem. They measure the usefulness of whatever construction or graphical invention allowing you to avoid useless graphics.
About the role of computers in Information Visualisation.
Interview with Jacques Bertin (2003)

“The author has the reputation of being against color. I am indeed against color when it masks incompetence; when it allows the superimposition of characteristics to the point of absurdity; when people believe it capable of representing ordered data.”

Source: Graphics and graphic information processing (1981), p. 222; partly cited in: Laura R. Novick and Sean M. Hurley (2001) " To Matrix, Network, or Hierarchy: That Is the Question http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/faculty/Markman/PSY394/NovHur.pdf" in: Cognitive Psychology 42, 158–216 (2001)

“Value perception dominates color perception.”

Source: Semiology of graphics (1967/83), p. 87

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