When it comes to designing a great graph, the instinct might be to go rogue—start with a blank canvas and try to dream up something original. But a research study published in Science suggests that’s not the most effective approach. In fact, you’re more likely to generate better, more creative ideas when you start with a structure—like a template or example—rather than brainstorming from scratch.

That’s because great examples act as a helpful constraint. They give you a defined starting point and clear parameters, which in turn frees up your brain to focus on improving and adapting the design rather than inventing something entirely new. Instead of asking, “Where do I begin?” you’re asking, “How can I make this work for my data?” That small shift leads to bigger, better outcomes.

That same study in Science found that when people are given examples or frameworks to work from, they generate more ideas—and better ones—than when they’re told to ‘think outside the box’ with no guidance at all. As it turns out, creativity thrives not in the absence of structure but because of it.

So instead of starting from nothing, it’s good to start from something. By beginning with a great example, you don’t limit your creativity. You unlock it.

Now, where can you find something to inspire your next graph? If you’re not familiar with it yet, Grapher is our 2D and 3D graphing tool that bridges the gap between data and decision-makers, equipping you to present your findings in a manner that resonates with both technical and non-technical audiences alike. 

Whether you’re preparing graphs for a research paper, a client presentation, or internal analysis, Grapher makes it easy to create stunning graphical representations that simplify complex datasets so they’re accessible and understandable. And if you’re ever unsure where to start to create a cool data visualization, the Graph Gallery has you covered. This built-in library is packed with sample projects you can browse, learn from, and use as examples and templates to build on with your own data. It’s a practical, in-program source of inspiration to help you create effective, engaging graphs—without starting from scratch. For a deeper understanding of what the Graph Gallery provides, here are the categories of sample visualizations you’ll find:

These include classic 2D line plots, scatter plots, line/scatter combos, and step plots, perfect for displaying relationships between two variables. The Graph Gallery also features 3D ribbon, wall, and step plots, along with XYZ scatter plots for visualizing data across three axes.

Class and bubble plots are great for adding categorical or size-based meaning to your visuals. In the Graph Gallery, you’ll find examples of 2D class scatter plots and bubble plots, as well as XYZ versions that extend your data into a true three-dimensional space.

The examples in this category include vertical, horizontal, and parametric function plots. You’ll also find contour and surface function maps, along with polar function plots for circular or angular data relationships.

There are multiple 2D, 3D, and XYZ vertical and horizontal bar charts and floating bar charts in the Graph Gallery. With so many visualizations to inspire you and build on, you can create the perfect bar chart for your datThere are multiple 2D, 3D, and XYZ vertical and horizontal bar charts and floating bar charts in the Graph Gallery. With so many visualizations to inspire you and build on, you can create the perfect bar chart for your data. 

Need to visualize distributions or compare data sets? Sample histograms, box-whisker plots, pie and doughnut charts, and Q-Q plots are available in both 2D and 3D formats. These are perfect for statistical summaries and data distribution insights.

You can plot compositional data using the ternary scatter, line, class, and bubble plot examples. This category also includes piper and Durov plots, ideal for displaying chemical or mineral compositions across three variables arranged in a triangular format.

Display circular data using the polar line, scatter, bar, and class plots examples, as well as rose, wind, and radar chart samples. These are great for visualizing directional data, cyclical patterns, or multi-variable comparisons on circular axes.

Capture elevation, intensity, or other continuous variables with the contour maps and surface plot examples as your guide. These sample visualizations include 2D contour lines and 3D surface maps, with both data-driven and function-based options available.

There are 1-point and 2-point vector plots available in 2D, 3D, and polar formats to help you visualize vertical, horizontal, and parametric function plots. If you study meteorology, fluid dynamics, and structural engineering, these graphing examples can be helpful. 

For niche needs, the Graph Gallery includes specialty plot visuals like high-low-close charts, candlestick plots, and stiff plots—the latter is commonly used to display ionic concentrations in water quality studies.