Data Visualization

How Can You Better Collect and Organize Data to Support Visualization?

• Collect data at the lowest level of granularity as possible
• Determine how data elements are collected and are related to each other
• Understand who and how institutional data is currently governed
• Map changes to data elements, collection methods, and governance across relevant time periods
• Identify opportunities to “close” open text elements

What Visual Is Most Appropriate for Your Data?

Understanding how your data is structured can eliminate certain design options.
Interactive version @ https://ft-interactive.github.io/visual-vocabulary/

How Can You Develop Visualizations That Respect Visual Perception of Information?

Design Objectives

• Accurate representation
• Facilitates accurate and quick understanding
• Memorable
• Appropriate amount of data/context

  Orientation Shape/Symbols Line length  Line width Size

  ​ Hue Tint – amount of white Shade - amount of black Colorfulness as compared to gray Saturation/Brightness – amount of gray

  Curvature Enclosure Spatial position Motion Texture

Selecting Color Palette

• Color-blind
• Perceptual ordering/categories
• Captures nuances of variations
• Conveys gradients
• Displays uncertainty when relevant
• Works across mediums
  
  

Focusing Intended Users’ Focus

• Understand what your end-users will focus their attention on based on their role, interest, expertise, and familiarity with data and relevant issues.
• Every element you add to the page or screen takes up a cognitive load on the end-user
• Does your design reflect what areas you want the end-user to focus their attention

How Should You Start?

Tools & Platforms

For more information on this topic, read our blog post.