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Improve your data viz skills
Data Visualization takes some practice before you get really good at it. It takes an understanding of the data in front of you and determining what you want to use of it. It takes understanding the software tools to make a graph. It takes utilizing design techniques to communicate messages in a graph about the data in understandable and attractive ways. It takes understanding your audience to recognize what will peak their interest as you craft a narrative out of your graph.
At its core, "data visualization" is "data communication" or "data storytelling." You use visuals to communicate and describe data. Data by itself lacks context, looks dense, and does not clearly show patterns. Data visualization is a method of reporting information, because it can bring data to everyone, quickly. And by the way, when we say "everyone," let's make it everyone--think about adding elements of inclusivity and accessibility in to your visualizations, too.
- Become a data SUPERSTAR(Part 1: ~11 min.) This video describes the journey, and concrete steps, experienced as you improve at creating data visualizations, and then provides an example of how a data visualization changes as these skills improve.
Fundamentals of Data Visualization by Call Number: QA76.9.I52 W55 2019ISBN: 9781492031086Publication Date: 2019-04-30Explore the basic concepts of color as a tool to highlight, distinguish, or represent a value. Understand the importance of redundant coding to ensure you provide key information in multiple ways. Use the book's visualizations directory, a graphical guide to commonly used types of data visualizations. Get extensive examples of good and bad figures. Learn how to use figures in a document or report and how employ them effectively to tell a compelling story.
Data Visualization for Business Decisions by Call Number: online ebookISBN: 9781683925934Publication Date: 2020-06-16This workbook is intended for business analysts who wish to improve their skills in creating data visuals, presentations, and report illustrations used to support business decisions. It is a qualitative lab to develop the power of visualization and discrimination. It does not require the reader to modify charts, but to analyze and describe what would improve charts. In a set of controlled exercises, the reader is taken through the eighteen elements of six dimensions of analyzing and improving charts, visuals and reports used to communicate business concepts. Includes companion files with videos, sample files, and slides used in examples from thebook.
Design
The value of a data visualization is that it should help people understand the underlying data. But a poorly designed visualization can be hard to figure out how to read it. Using good design techniques, you can more effectively process how you want to set up your visualization.
- Choosing colors for your Data VizChoosing good colors for your charts is hard. These articles try to make it easier.
- Cognitive Load: Don't Say Too Much in 1 Viz!Cognitive load helps us consider how easy or difficult it is for someone to make sense of something new. This guide helps you gauge the complexity of your data, identify the needs of your audience, and then calibrate your data visualization to bridge the gap.