Consistent Symbol Usage

Oct 8

Screenshot of the WHO design languae of how they use symbols

Leveraging symbols in data visualization isn’t as easy as choosing a circle over a triangle. From shapes to dashed or solid lines, they’re the visual shortcuts that help convey complex information with ease. The World Health Organization (WHO) tackles this brilliantly in the first section of their design system, breaking down symbol usage in a way that's clear and practical. I especially love the side-by-side examples—it's like a quick cheat sheet for visual recognition, with handy legends that make sure nothing gets lost in translation.

Instead of just giving us a 'symbol dictionary,' the WHO takes a more thoughtful approach, offering problem-solving guidelines for tricky situations—like which symbols to use for uncertainty or data gaps. This clever strategy doesn’t just keep charts looking consistent; it also makes sure data is easy to understand by addressing common visualization challenges.

Full Style Guide: https://apps.who.int/gho/data/design-language/design-system/symbology/