Final answer:
The data-to-ink ratio is used in data visualization to describe the proportion of ink used to represent actual data relative to the total ink used, promoting clean and focused visuals with minimal distractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The data-to-ink ratio is a concept used in the field of data visualization that refers to the proportion of ink (or pixels, in the case of digital representations) used to represent the data in a chart or graph relative to the total amount of ink used in the entire display. A high data-to-ink ratio indicates that most of the ink on the page is used to represent actual data, with little to no decorative elements that do not convey useful information.
This concept encourages the creation of visuals that are clean, clear, and focused on the data itself, avoiding extraneous graphics or decoration that may distract from the data's message.