1. A method comprising: accessing a hierarchical data structure comprising a first set of categories; associating a viewing area with a grid, the grid comprising a plurality of columns, each column from the plurality of columns having the same specified column width; determining respective quantitative contributions of categories from the first set of categories to a numerical aspect associated with the first set of categories as a whole; assigning a spatial mapping of the respective quantitative contributions of the categories from the first set of categories along a one-dimensional continuum; flowing the spatial mapping along the plurality of columns in the viewing area to generate a tree map, the tree map comprising a plurality of segments, a segment from the plurality of segments corresponding to a category from the plurality of categories; and rendering, using at least one processor coupled to a memory, the tree map.