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Visualization

Updated Sep 22, 2021 ·

Effective Visualizations​

A well-designed chart can convey a lot of information, but there are key aspects to ensure your visuals are clear and useful.

  • Purpose of Colors

    • Colors should serve a clear purpose.
    • For example, using a single color for a graph that counts launches per year makes the data straightforward and easy to understand.
    • Overusing colors can be confusing, especially if there’s no clear explanation for each color. Stick to simple color schemes unless different colors add meaningful differentiation.

  • Consider Colorblindness

    • Remember that not everyone perceives colors the same way.
    • What you see as red and green might not be distinguishable for some viewers.
    • Use color palettes that are accessible to colorblind individuals to make your charts inclusive.

  • Readable Fonts

    • Opt for readable fonts, like sans-serif, to ensure your text is clear and easy to read.
    • Avoid fancy fonts that might distract from the data itself.

  • Clear Labeling

    • Always include titles, axis labels, and legends in your charts.
    • This helps viewers understand what they’re looking at and what the colors or patterns represent.
    • Labels and legends are crucial for clarity, especially when using multiple elements or colors.

  • Axes Considerations

    • Sometimes it’s tempting to start axes above zero to zoom in on trends, but this can be misleading.
    • Ensure that the scale accurately represents the data to avoid misinterpretation.

Dashboards​

Dashboards combine multiple visualizations into a single interface and provides a comprehensive view of various data aspects. They help users quickly understand complex information and make informed decisions.

  • Combine various data aspects and enhance overall insight
  • Present multiple metrics, similar to a car dashboard
  • Customizable to specific needs, providing relevant information at a glance

Business Intelligence Tools​

Business Intelligence (BI) tools simplify data cleaning, exploration, and visualization, enabling the creation of dashboards without extensive programming knowledge.

  • Tools like Tableau, Looker, and Power BI facilitate easy dashboard creation
  • Offer drag-and-drop interfaces for quick report building
  • Allow integration of coding languages like Python, R, and JavaScript for advanced customization

Interactive Features​

Interactive features in visualizations and dashboards enhance user engagement and understanding, making data more accessible and actionable.

  • Enable deeper user engagement with the data
  • Provide hover-over information and filters for exploring specific details
  • Help users focus on the most relevant data for better insights

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