Briefle words · Data & charts
Sequential vs. categorical color
Sequential colors show order or amount with changing lightness; categorical colors show unrelated groups with different hues.
Say it to an AI
A 100% stacked bar of active members by age band with a legend of shares. Age bands are ordered, so use a sequential palette (one blue from light to dark, young to old), not a categorical palette; sequential vs. categorical color is the whole point of this card.
How an expert would brief the stronger version of “Members by age band”.
See it
Try it as a puzzle →Audience card in the analytics area of a gym-membership platform.
Why: A paints ordered age bands with six unrelated hues, the treatment you would use for channels or countries.
Related words
Room 5 · Color & emphasis
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