Chartjunk refers to all visual elements in charts and graphs that are not necessary to comprehend the information represented on the graph, or that distract the viewer from this information.
The term was coined by Edward Tufte in his 1983 book The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. He states:
"The interior decoration of graphics generates a lot of ink that does not tell the viewer anything new. The purpose of decoration varies — to make the graphic appear more scientific and precise, to enliven the display, to give the designer an opportunity to exercise artistic skills. Regardless of its cause, it is all non-data-ink or redundant data-ink, and it is often chartjunk." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartjunk
Here is an article from Business Week about Tufte and his contributions to Information Design.
Remember these tips for avoiding information overload: From the Information design Handbook
- Don't Decorate, design: Keep the design simple so the user feels comfortable. Achieve clarity through minimalism by avoiding anything that does not serve as a function.
- Provide Options: Structure information in ways that allow the reader to attain multiple levels of understanding, from overview to expert.
- Use Structure to create meaning: Awareness of the emotional and cognitive effects of information overload should influence decisions. Use tools, like Millers Magic number to make information more digestible
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