Data Visualization

Why data visualization?

Data visualization is used to answer questions quickly

How are we trending?

How about now?

How about now?

Why Data Visualization?

The human brain automatically interprets what we see without thinking

Data Visualization Tools

Color

Data Visualization Tools

Color

Associates with

Feelings

Data Visualization Tools

Color

Accessibility - Color Blind (508 Compliant) and make sure your colors have enough contrast (black and white print out)

Data Visualization Tools

Shape

Data Visualization Tools

Size

Data Visualization best practices

Why are Best Practices important?

So We don't end up here!

viz.wtf

Ease of Understanding

Make the visualization as easy as possible to read and understand

Ease of Understanding

Keep axes clear and consistent

Avoid skipping numbers and Always start from 0

Ease of Understanding

Clearly label visualizations

Titles, sub-titles, axes, legends, data source, outliers (if necessary)

Try the 30 second test

Ease of Understanding

Provide Context

How do I know if this number is good or bad?  I need some sort of reference.

Keep it simple

DON'T ADD COLORS WHEN IT'S NOT NECESSARY

IF it doesn't help explain the visual get rid of it

Don't add too many labels

Keep it simple

Just because you can doesn't mean you should

Check your work

Does the visualization logically make sense?  If you must use a pie chart it better add up to 100%

Use the right graph

Jon Schwabish's Graphic Continuum

What Can I do?

Style Guides with Brand compliant color palettes