Adding image to ggplot title

Question

I want to add an image or svg to the ggplot title.

This is what I'm aiming for:

get the eye "here"

Below is my best try.

I'm unhappy with it because I have to try and error a lot to get it into the right position. not really a general solution.

library(ggplot2)
library(raster)
library(grid)

img1 <- as.matrix(raster(system.file("external/rlogo.grd", package="raster")))
img1[img1>128] <- NA
img1[img1>0] <- 0
image(img1)

g1 <- rasterGrob(img1, interpolate=TRUE)

p <- ggplot(mtcars, aes(wt, mpg)) +
  geom_point() + 
  ggtitle("       <- dat rLogo tho") +
  annotation_custom(g1,xmin = 1.2,1.6,35.5,38)

gt <- ggplot_gtable(ggplot_build(p))
gt$layout$clip[gt$layout$name == "panel"] <- "off"
grid.draw(gt)


  

Answer 1

Here's my attempt using the very serious-looking eye png:

library(ggplot2)
library(grid)
library(dplyr)
library(gtable)

eyeImg <- png::readPNG("serious_eye.png") %>%
  rasterGrob(interpolate = TRUE)

p <- ggplot(mtcars, aes(wt, mpg)) + 
  geom_point() +
  ggtitle("") # to create space for title

# convert to grob
gt <- ggplotGrob(p)

# create new title as a tableGrob with separate cells for image & text
new.title <- gtable(widths = grobWidth(gt),
       heights = grobHeight(gt)) %>%
  gtable_add_grob(grobs = eyeImg, t = 1, l = 1) %>%
  gtable_add_cols(widths = unit(1, "null")) %>%
  gtable_add_grob(textGrob(label = "<- very serious eye",
                           x = unit(0, "npc"), just = "left"),
                  t = 1, l = 2) %>%
  # optional: adda fixed amt of space between image & text
  gtable_add_col_space(width = unit(5, "pt")) 

# dev.off(); grid.draw(new.title)

# assign new title back to gt
gt$grobs[[which(gt$layout$name == "title")]] <- new.title

grid.draw(gt)