The aim of information visualization is to current advanced information in a manner that’s clear to grasp and engages audiences. Visualizations make it simple to convey an general message, spotlight key insights, and could be very persuasive by way of guiding an viewers towards a conclusion.
On this article, we are going to contemplate how one can current advanced data successfully with information visualization in a easy five-step information, we can even focus on its advantages and supply a couple of use case examples.
Information visualization represents information and knowledge in a graphical manner that’s simple to understand. Visualizations can embrace charts, maps, graphs, infographics, and different parts that assist to simplify information. This makes it simple to determine patterns and traits, spot inconsistencies and outliers, and assist an viewers conclude the info that’s being introduced.
Picture from infogram
Information visualizations are additionally very efficient with regards to presenting advanced and probably complicated information to non-technical personnel inside an organization. This could help key decision-makers with regards to signing off new initiatives or allocating extra of the price range to a sure division, for instance.
As people, our eyes are instantly drawn to patterns, colours, and shapes and we will immediately differentiate between sure parts. Branding and logos of huge companies are prime examples of this, with virtually everybody all over the world in a position to determine an enormous yellow ‘M’ or the define of that well-known apple.
Information visualizations are based mostly on these human perceptions, grabbing the viewers’s curiosity and protecting folks centered on the message. Used successfully, information visualization could be a tremendous storytelling instrument, main the viewers on a journey in an attractive and persuasive manner.
As beforehand mentioned, information visualization may be very efficient at turning advanced and complicated information into one thing extra digestible and simple to grasp, particularly whether it is being introduced to non-technical folks or an viewers that isn’t accustomed to the topic.
Visualizations additionally make it doable to research huge information, information that’s so massive, advanced, and
fast-paced that it’s not possible to course of utilizing conventional means. This presents new alternatives to companies, permitting for brand new insights and traits to be found, and offering a aggressive edge.
Different key makes use of of information visualization embrace visualizing relationships and patterns between two parts, sharing key data rapidly, and exploring new enterprise alternatives in an interactive manner.
To totally perceive information visualization we can not simply give attention to the benefits, we additionally want to take a look at its limitations to find out when and the place it may be used.
One drawback that’s extra consumer error than a fault of the know-how is the potential for making inaccurate assumptions when there are a lot of completely different information factors. Inexperienced customers may additionally select a poor or incorrect design, visualizing the info in a manner that confuses the viewers or implements an excessive amount of bias.
One other subject that must be averted is routinely believing any correlation could be linked to a trigger. In fact, in lots of circumstances, correlation does signify a useful perception or pattern, however not at all times, coincidences do occur.
Lastly, it may be generally simple to turn into embroiled within the fancy graphics and interactive charts, shedding sight of the important thing message and the general purpose of the visualization. Like several kind of reporting and presentation approach, the main target is essential to ship the important thing messaging successfully.
Now we perceive what information visualization is, its advantages, and what to keep away from when designing and delivering a report, let’s contemplate how it may be utilized with a couple of frequent use circumstances.
- Information visualization can present superior advertising analytics to assist drive resolution making, uncover new traits and niches, whereas additionally bettering present campaigns. Information may embrace web site site visitors and web page efficiency, serving to to fine-tune internet content material to create extra conversions.
- Threat administration may also depend on information visualization to rapidly spotlight any points inside enterprise operations or cybersecurity, for instance. By analyzing historic information and presenting it in an attractive manner, dangers could be simply recognized and mitigated earlier than they trigger any disruption.
- In gross sales, CRM instruments allow companies to current information in a visually partaking method, simplifying comprehension for each inner groups and prospects. Furthermore, there are specialised CRM instruments tailor-made for very particular industries. As an illustration, roofing contractors can leverage roofing CRM software program as an alternative of generic choices. This bespoke method ensures that information visualization turns into accessible and relevant to a variety of companies.
Utilizing information visualization successfully could be comparatively simple if greatest practices are adhered to and the aim of the info evaluation and who it’s being introduced to is evident.
Listed below are 5 steps on how one can current advanced information successfully with information visualization.
1. Decide Who The Viewers Is
Step one when creating an information visualization is to totally decide who the viewers is, their data stage, and their technical experience. If the people nicely then you might also have an understanding of their normal consideration span and their curiosity within the topic.
For an information visualization to be efficient you need to absolutely perceive the expectations and objectives of the viewers and ship the info in a format and design that fits their wants.
2. Take away Pointless Complexity
When designing an information visualization, simplicity is vital, eradicating any pointless parts that might distract or confuse the viewers. The general message needs to be abundantly clear, with none muddle. To attain this, implement an attention grabbing and constant colour scheme, clear and suitably-sized fonts, and make the most of white house, grids, and margins to prepare the web page format. Giant titles, legends, and labels may also assist to elucidate the content material extra clearly.
3. Use Related Charts
Picture from polymersearch
Relevancy is essential for environment friendly information visualizations, due to this fact, it’s suggested to use the proper charts and graphs to show any information. For instance, a line chart is the beneficial method to show traits, and scatter charts present relationships and correlations, whereas a pie or donut chart can present percentages.
4. Create a Story
Information visualization needs to be extra than simply chilly, onerous numbers, it ought to have a transparent story that retains the viewers engaged and progressively reaches a conclusion. Be sure to embrace any related background data earlier than delving into the figures and spotlight the important thing factors to make sure they’re understood.
5. Check Your Information Visualization
The final step is to check the info visualization so it may be optimized earlier than presenting it to an viewers. Make sure that the important thing factors are obvious, the info is correct, and that charts and graphs are simple to comply with. Having the visualization cross-checked by a colleague is without doubt one of the greatest methods to search out any errors, typos, or inconsistencies, plus they’ll additionally give sincere suggestions on whether or not the design and content material are partaking.
Information visualization has turn into important by way of presenting huge information and discovering new insights and traits, particularly within the gross sales and advertising sectors. By presenting information on this manner, audiences are engaged, and complicated data could be displayed in a manner that’s simple to digest.
This can lead to a greater understanding of huge information and analytics throughout a company, leading to improved decision-making and boosting operations.
Nahla Davies is a software program developer and tech author. Earlier than devoting her work full time to technical writing, she managed — amongst different intriguing issues — to function a lead programmer at an Inc. 5,000 experiential branding group whose purchasers embrace Samsung, Time Warner, Netflix, and Sony.