Notes covering: Data Visualization: A Successful Design Process - by Andy Kirk

By: Miguel A Barbosa Of DataVersed.com

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Theory ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Data Viz Methodology .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 3: Demonstrating Editorial Focus & Learning About Your Data ............................................................................... 6 Chapter 4: Conceiving & Reasoning Visualization Design Options ........................................................................................... 7 Chapter 5. Taxonomy of Data Visualization Methods .................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 6: Constructing & Evaluating Design Solutions ............................................................................................................... 9

Chapter 1: Theory
Data Visualization is about taking advantage of strengths of visual functions of our brain and avoiding the disadvantages of the cognitive function. There is a: Messenger----encoding a ----(message)----decoded by ----- Receiver Your job is to put yourself in the shoes of the reader/receiver. Then to imagine, anticipate, determine what reader wants and needs. Data Viz = Representation & presentation of data that exploits our visual perception abilities in order to amplify cognition. Representation depicting data Presentation integrating data into work Visual Abilities how brain perceives Amplify Cognition how efficiently and effectively we process information into thoughts, insights, & knowledge. Most people have probably never thought about how they approach visualization design.

Chapter 2: Data Viz Methodology

Design challenges involved in data visualization are predominantly technology related. A. Visualization Design Objectives: a. Strive for form & function: Initially focusing on securing functional aspects of visualization. b. Justify the selection in everything we do. c. Creating accessibility through intuitive design. Speed of interpretation is determined by complexity of subject. d. Never deceive the reader B. Design Methodology: a. Setting purpose & identifying key factors: i.e. whom its for and what needs you are trying to fulfill. i. Clarifying purpose : the reason for existing a. Either i. You are asked to do it ii. You decided to do it yourself b. Intended Effect i. What you want to achieve ii. How you will achieve it (requires researching readers) c. Understanding Audience/Target Users ii. Establishing Intent The Visualization Function 1. Explanatory Intent Conveying information to reader in a way that is based around specific and focused narrative: 2. Facilitating Exploration Intent Seeking to facilitate familiarization and reasoning of data. Lacks a narrative. Example would be a tool for creating Exploration. The key difference between this and explanatory is how much work the reader has to do to have key insights. 3. Self Expression/Exhibition Intent This is using data visualization to express. Its much closer to art than it is to a narrative with a purpose of explaining or a tool for purpose of exploring. iii. Establishing Intent The Visualization Tone 1. Tone: a. Tone is the desired emotional response you are trying to create. b. Key question: What design will enable you to have your desired tone? c. The Tone Spectrum: Pragmatic/Analytical <------>Emotive/Abstract 2. Pragmatic/Analytical Tone a. These tones are all about information being conveyed and perceived very easily. b. They deliver information quickly. c. Efficient portrayals of Data d. Tend to look Clinical 3. Emotive/Abstract Tone

a. These tones are about creating an aesthetic that portrays a general story or sense of pattern. b. In these you get a sense for the physicality of the data. iv. Key Factors of Visualization Projects 1. The Aim/Purpose 2. Time Pressures 3. Costs 4. Client Pressures 5. Format 6. Technical Capabilities v. The 8 Hats of Data Viz: Types of people in most projects. 1. The initiator a. Leader seeking solution b. Set functional and tonal direction of project c. Identify targets 2. Data Scientist/ Data Miner a. Source & Acquire data b. Handle & Prepare data 3. The Journalist/Storyteller a. Establishes the narrative approach b. Establishes key stories & narrative 4. Computer Scientist a. Brings project to life b. Understands the technical aspects necessary to bring project to completion. 5. Designer a. Works with Computer Scientist b. Have an eye for visual detail c. Style d. Responsible for assuring harmony of form and function 6. Cognitive Scientist a. Knowledge of visual perception b. Knowledge of how eye and brain work to visualize information. 7. The Communicator a. Understands requirements b. Understands Restrictions c. Showcases work 8. The Project Manager a. Coordinates all functions b. Coordinates diff members c. Ensures project is completed on time.

Chapter 3: Demonstrating Editorial Focus & Learning About Your Data

I. The importance of editorial focus a. Editorial focus is the responsibility to filter out noise from signals b. To identify the most valuable and relevant dimensions of subject matter c. To ask: What will audience want to know and find most interesting? Preparing and familiarizing yourself with your data a. Acquisition of Data b. Examine your data i. For completeness ii. For Quality c. Data Types d. Transforming for quality e. Transforming for analysis (type of resolution) f. Consolidating Data Refining your editorial focus a. Ask: What are the important messages? b. Ask: Which specific insights do I want to make available? i. Via Deductive Reasoning ii. Via Inductive Reasoning c. Take a look at visualdata.dw.de Using visual analysis to find stories: Also called data sketching Below are the elements that you need for visual analysis: a. Comparisons & Proportions i. Range & Distribution of Values ii. Ranking iii. Measurements iv. Contexts b. Trends & Patterns i. Direction ii. Rate of Change iii. Fluctuation iv. Significance v. Overlaps/Intersection c. Relationships/Connections i. Exceptions ii. Correlations iii. Associations iv. Clusters & Gaps v. Hierarchical relationships

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Chapter 4: Conceiving & Reasoning Visualization Design Options

I. Data Visualization Overview a. Data Visualization is all about choices and deciding to add or reducing choice b. Design Anatomy is about i. Data representation how to give form using visuals ii. Data Presentation about delivery format c. Useful practices i. Sketching ii. Note Taking is about documenting decision making process 1. Documenting all decisions and Reasons 2. Documenting all data/resources. Data Representation: Process of identifying most effective and appropriate solution for representing Data. Steps include: 1. Choosing correct visualization method: Choosing chart type by ability to tell story. a. Comparing Categorical Values b. Hierarchies/part whole c. Show Changes Over Time d. Mapping Geo-Spatial Data e. Charting/Graphing Relationships 2. Accommodating physical prop of data: Using taxonomy of data methods 3. Facilitating Desired Precision: Degree of accuracy in interpretation a. Visual Variables: Form we assign data to represent it. b. Variable Criteria i. Can we see data: categorical vs quant data ii. Can we judge rank values by magnitude iii. Can we recognize patterns. 4. Creating metaphor to depict subject stylistically 5. Choosing final solution a. Key is to avoid a situation where visualization is aesthetic but obscures meaning and insights. Data Presentation: All features including (color, features, annotation, arrangement etc) i. Each layer must add extra meaning, intuitiveness, depth ii. Features should feel almost invisible iii. Creating layers of visual prominence that help vs instantly achieve a sense of the important message and featuers. Color: Learn Color Theory Interactivity: Ask Should data be static? Types of functions: 1. Manipulating Variables/Parameters 2. Adjusting Views Animations: Layers of data/detail through interactive events such as play/pause/reset Annotation: Is about recognizing audience (who they are/what they might already know) Examples of Annotation: Titles User Guides Captions Legend/keys Data Sources Introductions Labels Annotation Units Attribution Arrangement: helps reduce the amount of work the eye has to undertake to navigate around the design and decipher the sequence and hierarchy of the display.

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Chapter 5. Taxonomy of Data Visualization Methods

Method: Comparing Assessing Hierarchies and Relationships Showing Change Over Time Mapping Data Examples of Method NewsMap.jp Key-Lines.com Blog.Dwtkns.com Biodiaspora

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Chapter 6: Constructing & Evaluating Design Solutions

*checkout uxblog.idvsolutions.com I. Visualization Tools (Applications, Software, Programs) a. Charting & Statistical Tools Chandoo.org Data Wrapper DataRemixed Excel Fustion Tables Google Developers Jeromecukier.net Panopticon Peltiertech.com Polychart Qlikview Tableau TheInformationlab.co.uk/blog Tibco Visualization Api Wordle b. Programming Environments D3.js Flash Kendoui Misoproject Mondrian Nodebox Paper JS Processing Quadrigan R Raphael WebGL II. The Construction Process a. Focus on Functions First b. Build and Iterate c. Get Feedback 1. Reaction 2. Understand Use 3. Derive Insight 4. Work Functionality d. Approach Finish line 1. Check for accuracy of data 2. Check for functional accuracy 3. Formatting 4. Annotation c. Mapping Arg Gis CartoDb Geocommons Indiemapper Insta Atlas Kartograph Leaflet OpenStreetMaps Polymaps TileMill d. Other Tools Adobe Illustrator Gephi Keylines Zlosr.it Zoomit

e. Post Launch Evaluation 1. Metrics/Benchmarks 2. Client/Customer Feedback 3. Peer Review 4. Unstructured Feedback 5. User Assesment 6. Case Studies III. Developing Capabilities a. Practice b. Evaluate work of others c. Publish Output d. Learn about field Additional Resources Websites/Tools Aligned Left Charts And Things Fell In Love With Data Graphic Sociology Information is Beautiful Michael Babwahsingh Moebio Naomi Robbins Perceptual Edge Periscopic Pitch Interactive The Why Axis Tulp Interactive Vallandingham Vis4net Visualizing Books Julia Steal Case Studies of Beautiful Visualization in Practice Tamara Munzner Information Visualization Principles, Techniques, Practicez

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