Understanding Hierographs: A Guide to Visualizing Complex Information

Hierograph is a term that was used in the early 20th century to describe a type of graphic or diagram that was used to represent complex information in a hierarchical or tree-like structure. The term was coined by the British designer and typographer, William A. G. Gosset, who was one of the pioneers of modern information design.

In a hierograph, information is organized into a series of layers or tiers, with each tier representing a different level of detail or complexity. The top tier typically contains the most general or high-level information, while the lower tiers contain more specific or detailed information. The hierarchy of tiers allows the viewer to quickly grasp the overall structure of the information and drill down to the specific details that are relevant to their needs.

Hierographs were often used in technical publications, such as engineering manuals and scientific papers, to help readers navigate complex information and understand the relationships between different concepts and ideas. They were also used in advertising and marketing materials to help customers understand the features and benefits of products or services.

Today, the term "hierograph" is not commonly used, but the concept of using a hierarchical structure to organize and present information remains an important part of information design and visual communication.