Just like planets revolve around the sun, companies rely on data. Even though data covers a central part of organizations, there are many more aspects that make the data easy to read. According to research conducted in 1986, humans are visual creatures.
Data visualization helps to break down information into small bits that are easy to understand. Organizations and companies continue to churn out significant amounts of data every day. Do you know various ways to take your visualizations to the next level? Now you know!
When you collect a significant amount of data, you need to get a unique way of generating meaning out of it. Visualizations accompanied by various shapes, colors, and images make the data more persuasive. Data visualization simplifies all the technical data aspects into a simple format your audience can easily understand.
However, most people perceive visualization in the wrong way. Many people firmly believe that data visualization is only limited to slapping around different types of charts, even though this is not the case. Data visualization is all about conveying data in a manner that enhances the audience’s experience.
When generating the visuals for your data visualization needs, you will automatically want them to be succinct. But, there are different strategies you can use to take your visualizations to the next level. How do you make this happen? Stick to this article until the end!
- Choose the Right Chart Type for Your Data
Before you get into further details in your data visualization process, you need to understand the purpose of your data and choose the most appropriate chart type. Remember that several types of charts and graphs are used in different scenarios. The only way to choose the right chart is to ensure that you understand your data.
Every chart type is designed in a manner that favors a particular type of data. For instance, a bar graph is designed to compare only a few data values in the same category. This means that you should only choose a bar graph when you have a limited number of data variables within the same group.
On the other hand, a line plot is used to depict numerical trends over a given time frame. Scatter plots are the best to showcase the relationship in your data. All these examples will give you a clear picture of why you need to be keen on your choice. Always keep in mind that different data sets communicate different messages.
The only way to make this happen is by ensuring that you review your data thoroughly before concluding. Reviewing the data will enable you to make the right decision and communicate the right message using an appropriate chart type.
- Pay Attention to the Text in the Visualizations
Yes, visuals are impressive! But, they won’t make any sense if you make them completely text-free. You should always add a little text to the visuals to make them easy for your readers to understand the message you are communicating. There is no way one can feel visualization if there is no text.
After choosing the best chart type to use in your visuals, you need to go the extra mile and work on the text content. If you want to take your visualizations to the next level, you should include three text types. They include titles, levels, and legends. The title should be descriptive in nature, short, and directly on point.
Your target audience should be in a better position to understand what you are communicating by just reading the title without looking out for any additional information. The labels should be easy to read with a simple font type. Also, ensure that the axes are well-labeled. The legends should be used correctly to make the chart easy to interpret.
- Keep Everything Simple
In data visualization, simplicity is the father of everything. Most people always opt for the complex options since it makes them feel they have done the right thing. This should never be the case at any point. Remember that data visualization (line chart, bar chart, gauge chart etc.) aims to ensure that your audience can easily read and understand your point of discussion.
No one has the time and commitment to reading things that do not portray any meaning. Always opt for simple chart types that your audience is comfortable with and can serve the right purpose. When using several charts to display a given message, ensure that you structure them in a manner that is easy to follow and understand.
Note that the more you make your work easy to understand, the more people rely on the information you convey. The secret is to ensure you communicate your data insights simply and straightforwardly. Ensure every data element is spelled out clearly in your visuals to enhance message delivery. Also, ensure that both the technical and non-technical audiences can read the data.
- Use Colors Wisely
You need to pay more attention to this creative and artistic side. Everybody has their unique artistic side that you need to touch when conveying information. Colors have a significant role to play in your data visualization activities. You may have the right charts that are simple with clean text, but you choose the wrong colors. This will ruin everything you want to display.
Applying the wrong colors in the right visuals makes your entire story confusing, affecting message delivery. Keep in mind the color theory and use it effectively in your charts to communicate to your audience easily. When applying colors to your visuals, ensure that you use the same color on the same data set to avoid confusion.
Applying too many colors to your visuals makes them confusing. You must be keen on the colors you apply at every point within the visuals. Consider using shades, color temperature, and hues in your data visualization. This will help you differentiate data and the data density across your values. If you find choosing colors difficult, consider looking for guidance from various color libraries.
- Keep Your Audience in Mind
You cannot create compelling visuals if you do not understand the nature of your audience. Besides, you need to always keep them in mind to enable you to create visuals that align with them. When you create simple visuals, they will be easy to understand regardless of the technicality of your respective audiences.
This is the same technique applied when creating designs for different audiences. In most cases, companies prefer to address the greatest part of their audience. The best way to make this happen is to ensure you are working with your audience. Always avoid the use of generalization in your data visualization and presentation.
Sometimes, it’s always good to address a specific audience within the market. Always ensure that you grasp your target market well and communicate with them effectively. When creating the visuals, keep your readers in mind to enhance information delivery and the quality of your visuals.
Conclusion
Data visualization is integral to message delivery when communicating to technical and non-technical audiences. When you incorporate visuals in your data, you make your data easily readable and digestible. Research has revealed that the human brain can process visuals in as little as 13 milliseconds. When creating visuals, you must be keen on the charts and graphs you use. Also, the font size greatly impacts the message delivery of your visualizations. Data visualization is a crucial element that plays a key element in data storytelling and when communicating critical messages to your target market.
