Data Visualisation Analysis
Kinda Zoghby
Data visualisation refers to presenting a large amout of information through graphics or visuals what helps the viewers understand and analyse the data quickly in a much simplest way. This concept of using pictures and graphs to understand data depends on several factors to be effective: the title, the data itself, the source of information to know if it is credible, axes and scale and key.
After doing some research to find a powerful data visual, I thought that this graph about the Syrians refuge could be an effective one on many levels since the majority of the data visualisation keys are presented in it. At first, this visual allows us to understand large datasets and statistics in a simple visual, which otherwise would be complicated to understand. Second, the topic itself that was reflected by the title “ Where Syrians Find their Refuge”, is really interesting and familiar to the majority of the viewers since we all already have a previous knowledge about it especially nowadays after the Syrian crisis. Third, the data is presented in a good way through simple geometrical shapes ( cirlces and lines) that indicate the different countries where the Syrians are located, in addition to the huge influence of the colors used that shows the different percentages of this population (red:10 to 20 %, orange: 1 to 10%…). In addition to that, the data source which is considered one of the most important elements to look for while analysing a chart is also present in this visual at the bottom of the page, what makes the visual and the data within it transparent and credible. In conclusion, all these major keys presented in this visual interacted all together to help the viewer understand and learn more in a simpler way about this social familiar topic which is about the Syrians refuge.
The second visual chosen is the one about the Unit Sales. This histogram is considered an easy and simple visual to understand about a well known topic in different places (Spokane, Yakima, Woodburn…). The statistics are presented in a simple visual arramngement and design through different sizes of colomns in different shades of blue what made the information clear and easy to understand. However, the graph is missing the inclusion of the most important data visualisation element which is the source, what can help the viewer know if the data presented is accurate and credible in addition to the key element that gives the viewer additional information to understand the numbers od food, drink and non -consumable materials in a much easier way. These missing elements made this histogram non understandable within any sense and credibility.
The last data visual chosen is this one where the information are presented in a simple way in three pie charts colored in blue and yellow to indicate maybe the affectivity of the topic in a specific place or time. That one is the worst visual of the three chosen since it is missing all the keys needed for the viewers to understand the data given in the graph. These charts have no title to help the viewer know the topic the charts are presenting, no source to know if the designer credible while presenting the data and no key to present additional information for a better data analysis. That’s why it is impossible for the viewer to understand and to get the point of these charts.
To wrap it all up, data visualisation is an important, quik, simple and easy way of helping people understand difficult concepts or identify new patterns. That’s why it is crucial to the visualisers to know the speicific technics to acheive a powerful data visualisation and to know the importance of getting the credibility of the viewer.
References:
- https://medium.com/m/global-identity?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.ioninteractive.com%2Finformation-is-beautiful-visual-data-examples-to-inspire-60a6ba5cbe8.
- https://migrationdataportal.org/blog/10-coolest-visualizations-migration-data
- https://eazybi.com/blog/data_visualization_and_chart_types/
- Kennedy, Lucy Hill, Aiello& Allen. (2016, March 16). The work that visualisation conventions do. Retrieved from: https://elearn.lau.edu.lb/bbcswebdav/pid-303336-dt-content-rid-916391_1/courses/JSC_314_11_201920/Kennedy_The%20work%20that%20visualisation%20conventions%20do.pdf.
