Making the Abstract Concrete
Visuals Help Us Think
Data visualizations concretize abstract ideas and concepts
Abstract Graphics
Enhance credibility of a message.
Each element has a one to one correspondence with what it represents
Space conveys meaning
Symbols are representative
Reduce cognitive load easing understanding
Improve search efficiency, makes it easier to find things
Application
Extend the viewers ability to see think and know
Simplify!
Each element has it's own visual code
Clarity is important, avoid ambiguity
Explanatory/didactic text is super important
Color clarifies
Consider the form of the representation, is it best for your info?
Big Picture View
Diagrams explain structures, processes, transformations, cycles, and functions of a system
Arrows link elements and provide a flow
Viewers derive meaning when the recognize patterns
Data Displays
Graphs are hard to understand, make them easier
Data displays visually communicate relationships from data sets
Help make comparisons, see trends, and find patterns
Bar graphs for comparisons line graphs for trends
Visualize Information
Provide structure for intricate information
Maps
Maps are magical
Use map conventions
