Good design is clear thinking made visible, bad design is stupidity made visible
Edward TufteRead
It is not how much empty space there is, but rather how it is used. It is not how much information there is, but rather how effectively it is arranged.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The effectiveness of space and information lies in their arrangement rather than their quantity.
Edward Tufte emphasizes that the utility of space and information is determined more by their arrangement and use than by their mere presence or quantity. Proper organization and thoughtful design can lead to better understanding and communication, highlighting the importance of clarity over volume in visual presentation.
Themes
SpaceInformationDesignArrangementEffectiveness
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about data visualization, this quote can highlight the importance of clear design.
More from Edward Tufte
All quotes →I have stared long enough at the glowing flat rectangles of computer screens. Let us give more time for doing things in the real world...plant a plant, walk the dogs, read a real book, go to the opera.
Edward TufteRead
There is no such thing as information overload, just bad design. If something is cluttered and/or confusing, fix your design.
Edward TufteRead
The minimum we should hope for with any display technology is that it should do no harm.
Edward TufteRead
PowerPoint is like being trapped in the style of early Egyptian flatland cartoons rather than using the more effective tools of Renaissance visual representation.
Edward TufteRead
If you’re told what to look for, you can’t see anything else.
Edward TufteRead
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