Design
Small Multiples.
Repeat the same chart across a grid so the eye compares shapes.
Repeat the same chart structure with different data across a grid. The consistent format lets the eye compare shapes and patterns instantly without learning a new layout for each panel.
The best design solution for a wide range of problems.
Edward Tufte, 1990 · Envisioning Information
Charts that apply this principle
Pair Plot / Scatter Matrix
n×n grid of scatter plots for every variable pair, with the diagonal showing each variable's distribution — letting you spot non-linear relationships, clusters, and outliers across all pairs at once before fitting any model.
Small Multiples
Same chart repeated for each subset, enabling comparison across a grid of panels.