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Jacques Bertin Quotes

1918–2010 France

Jacques Bertin (July 27, 1918 – May 3, 2010) was a French cartographer and theorist, known from his book Semiologie Graphique (Semiology of Graphics), 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.

France
Geographers

Random Jacques Bertin quote

17 quotes

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

Semiology of graphics (1967)

Graphics owes its special significance to its double function as a storage mechanism and a research instrument.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

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

Semiology of graphics (1967)

A graphic is a diagram when correspondences on the plane can be established among all elements of another component.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

When the correspondences on the plane can be established among all the divisions of the same component, the construction is a network.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

Value perception dominates color perception.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

Information is the reply to a question.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

When the correspondences on the plane can be established between

Semiology of graphics (1967)

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.

Graphics and graphic information processing (1981)

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

Semiology of graphics (1967)

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.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

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

Semiology of graphics (1967)

A graphic is not 'drawn' once and for all; it is 'constructed' and reconstructed until it reveals all the relationships constituted by the interplay of the data.... A graphic is never an end in itself; it is a moment in the process of decision-making.

Graphics and graphic information processing (1981)

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

Interview with Jacques Bertin (2003)

Graphic representation constitutes one of the basic sign-systems conceived by the human mind for the purposes of storing, understanding, and communicating essential information. As a "language" for the eye, graphics benefits from the ubiquitous properties of visual perception. As a monosemic system, it forms the rational part of the world of images.

Semiology of graphics (1967)

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

Graphics and graphic information processing (1981)

As with any graphic, networks are used in order to discover pertinent troups of to inform others of the groups and structures discovered. It is a good means of displaying structures, However, it ceases to be a means of discovery when the elements are numerous. The ﬁgure rapidly becomes complex, illegible and untransformable.

Graphics and graphic information processing (1981)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Jacques Bertin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.