1. Types of Data Visualization.

Before discussing more data visualization, it’s good to first discuss some types of data
visualization that are often used to create application interfaces.

a. Bar Charts

Bar charts are one of the most popular methods for visualizing data. Bar charts organize
data into rectangular bars that make it easy to compare related data sets. You can use a
bar chart for the following conditions :

 Compare two or more values in the same category

 Make users understand how multiple similar data sets relate to each other
b. Maps
 To display information about geographic data distribution, the use of maps is a very
appropriate choice. You can use maps for the following conditions :

 Display customer data that refers to specific locations

 Make your customer look at data points near them
 Shows a clear geographic distribution of customer data
c. Line Charts
 Line charts are commonly used to help users scan information and understand trends by
visualizing data in a concise and accurate chart line format. You can use line charts for
the following conditions :

 make the user understand the trends, patterns, and fluctuations in your data
 allows users to compare different data sets but are related to several series
d. Scatterplots
 Scatterplots are a two-dimensional data visualization that use dots to represent the
values obtained for two different variables – one plotted along the x-axis and the other
plotted along the y-axis. You can use scatterplots for the following conditions :

 To build an interactive report

 To display compact data visualization
e. Pie Charts
 The pie chart is a circular graph that is broken down into segments (i.e slices of pie).
These segments represent each category’s contribution to display parts of a whole.

You can use pie charts for the following conditions :

 To work out the composition of something

 To rapidly scan metrics
f. Gauges
 A gauge is typically used to visualize single-valued metrics, such as the total revenue for
the year-to-date. In other words, a gauge displays one or more measures from a single
row and is not designed to display multiple rows of data.

You can use gauges for the following conditions:

 To track single metrics that have a clear, in the moment objective

 The data you want to display does not need to be compared to other data sets
g. Table
 The table is a type of visualization showing your data in columns and rows, which is
good for publishing.

You can use the table for the following conditions :

 To display two-dimensional data sets that can be organized categorically

 To drill-down to break up large data sets with a natural drill-down path

2. Analysis of Your Audience Target.
After learning the types of visualization, then we must do the planning. A little planning
ahead will save us time in developing forms of data visualization on the application
interface or dashboard that we make. Audiences who will read the data must be your
main consideration. Charts designed for a group of field officers and drivers will not be
suitable for a group of company managers, and vice versa. Write down who will be the
audience for the interface you are building then discuss with your team what
improvements you want to target for your audience. The steps are as follows.

a. Describe the Numeration Level of the Audience

Note whether the audience that will use your design is used to reading statistics or not.
Designing a simpler display will make it easier for lay people to read data. But for
managerial data, you can design a more complex display because of their ability to read
better data.

b. Describe the Level of Data Visualization for Your Audience

When designing data for people who are unfamiliar with graphic displays, use traditional
graphics such as pie charts, bar charts, and line diagrams – otherwise, they will spend
more time discussing the novelty of the graph rather than paying attention to the
information contained in the chart.

c. Describe the Time Your Audience Uses

Simple graphs will greatly help officers working in the field make decisions faster
compared to a slightly more complicated graph that analysts use to predict business
decisions.

d. Describe What Decisions Your Audience Will Make.

Describe what information they need to compare with what information they already
have and what they expect. The visualization you make can help convince them of
which decisions to make.
3. Sketch Your Visualization on Paper.
It’s time to start the design process. Now please open the dataset that you already have
and make it on paper. This is very important rather than directly designing it on computer
software because it will save time and the variations made will be more creative. Make
as many concepts as possible and discuss with your colleagues so that the right and
appropriate models are found and will continue to the editing stage using computer
software.
4. Optimize the Use of Colors
Your visualization will look great if you use good colors. However, if you use bad colors,
they can distract the reader. Here are the things that you should consider when using
colors.

a. Use one color to represent the same data type.

If you describe the sales per month on a bar chart, use one color. But if you compare
last year’s sales with this year’s sales in a grouped chart, you must use different colors
for each year. You can also use accent colors to highlight significant data points.

b. Be careful with positive and negative numbers.

Don’t use red for positive numbers or green for negative numbers. The color association
is so strong that it will automatically reverse the meaning in the minds of viewers.

c. Make sure there is sufficient contrast between colors.

If the colors are too similar (light gray vs. bright, light gray), it may be difficult to
distinguish them. Instead, use high contrast color combinations like red/green or
blue/yellow.

d. Avoid patterns.
Lines and spots sound pleasant but can be very annoying. If you try to distinguish, say,
on a map, use different saturations of the same color. On that note, only use solid
colored lines (not dotted lines).

e. Choose the right color.

Some colors stand out more than others, giving unnecessary weight to that data.
Instead, use one color with variations in color or spectrum between two analog colors to
show intensity. Remember to intuitively give the color intensity code according to the
value too. don’t use more than 6 colors in one layout.
5. Make Good and Optimal Text Settings
a. Specify the right title for your UI Visualization display.
Prepare the right words to be the title of your visualization. There is no need to use
words that are too long, you just need to pay attention that the title created directs the
concentration of the user in the Visualization UI created.

b. Use the appropriate branding font.

Make sure your font visualization matches the project or company branding. It will be
easier if used again in another company’s project display.
c. Don’t forget to make a statement.
Describing the top and bottom of charts and graphs can ensure that readers understand
the chart message instantly. Use short, accurate sentences that do not interfere with the
dominance of the graphics made.

d. Setting the text hierarchy

Your font size is in accordance with its interests. The text hierarchy tells your viewers
which information is the most important (post) and which information is the least
important (regular paragraph).

e. Measuring text readability

Note the use of size, combination of text and media where the visualization display will
be applied. Don’t hesitate to use various tools to see the level of readability of the text in
the visualization display that you created.
6. Test & Get Feedback
After finishing designing the visualization that you created, the next step is to do a test.
Give a draft of your chart to other people or significant colleagues or people who belong
to the persona of the user you are aiming for. Ask, “What is the main message in this
chart?” If they are in doubt for more than a few seconds, or if their story is not in
harmony with the story you are referring to, do not hesitate to take notes and improve
the look you make. Perform a test continuously until you find the right formula according
to the purpose of the Visualization UI that you created.
The ability to visualize data well is one skill that can be used on any design instrument.
Therefore it is used to build the foundation of thinking and storytelling capabilities using
data. Do as much exploration as possible because the expertise that you develop can
be used for your lifetime. And don’t forget that Topcoders often make data visualization
design competitions. So let’s improve our data visualization skills and see you at the
contest forum.