4 Steps to a Strong, Beautiful, Impactful and Informative Data Visualization

Creating a good data visualization is tough. There are a few things to keep in mind in order for the visualization to make the impact you want it to make. Here are the elements that are necessary in order to create a successful visualization:

1) Data

You need data in order for you visualization to have any substance. This is the backbone for any graph or chart. The data needs to be well-researched and complete. Don’t leave out any information that the reader might want to know or see. Carefully read through your data and make sure your information is correct, especially reliable. Without the data, the visualization is almost dead.

2) Story

In the early steps of creating a data visualization, you look for stories within data. Sometimes there is no story that can be found in the data, so just move on to another set of data. Once you find a story, create a message you want to convey with your visualization. And make sure your message is complete and informative. The message is important because it is something the reader will get when looking at the visualization.

3) Goal

Every visualization needs a goal or purpose. When you have a story, create a goal. What do you want the audience to know? What data do you want them to see in your visualization? What’s the purpose? These are some of the questions you need to answer when coming up with a goal or purpose. And the most important question to answer is why. The readers want to know why they are reading this. With a clear purpose, people will read and look at your visualization.

4 ) Design

When all of your data is in place and ready to go, the overall design needs to complement story. You need to decide where a graph or chart would look the best depending on the data that you do have. And the design just needs to look clean and appealing. Create a design that will not confuse the readers. Pick colors that will stand out and make the audience engulf themselves in that data. To get some tips on visual design, read this post.

These elements will come together in creating a strong, beautiful, impactful and informative data visualization that you can show off to the world. Share with us some visualizations that you have created!

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