Book Image

Data Visualization: a successful design process

Book Image

Data Visualization: a successful design process

Overview of this book

Do you want to create more attractive charts? Or do you have huge data sets and need to unearth the key insights in a visual manner? Data visualization is the representation and presentation of data, using proven design techniques to bring alive the patterns, stories and key insights locked away."Data Visualization: a Successful Design Process" explores the unique fusion of art and science that is data visualization; a discipline for which instinct alone is insufficient for you to succeed in enabling audiences to discover key trends, insights and discoveries from your data. This book will equip you with the key techniques required to overcome contemporary data visualization challenges. You'll discover a proven design methodology that helps you develop invaluable knowledge and practical capabilities.You'll never again settle for a default Excel chart or resort to "fancy-looking" graphs. You will be able to work from the starting point of acquiring, preparing and familiarizing with your data, right through to concept design. Choose your "killer" visual representation to engage and inform your audience."Data Visualization: a Successful Design Process" will inspire you to relish any visualization project with greater confidence and bullish know-how; turning challenges into exciting design opportunities.
Table of Contents (13 chapters)
Data Visualization: a successful design process
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Chapter 3. Demonstrating Editorial Focus and Learning About Your Data

In the previous chapter, we introduced the data visualization methodology, starting off with a look at two important preparatory activities: establishing the project's purpose and identifying the influencing factors surrounding the project.

It is worth acknowledging that the intention of our visualization may evolve, particularly as we journey through the upcoming design phases and as new influencing factors emerge. Any decisions we make across this process can be revisited and refined but the greater clarity we achieve now will ultimately help minimize wasted efforts and lead to a more efficient process.

In this chapter, we move on to the next phase of the methodology where we look at the intertwining issues of the data we're working with and the stories we aim to extract and present. This activity provides a bridge between project inception and design conception and involves the following tasks:

  • We will look to develop...