The Power of Data Visualization

In my current role at Lextant, I spend a lot of time thinking about the best way to represent data so that it’s understandable and actionable. I’ve found that the way that information is presented has the power to determine how someone interprets that information. A different style of chart or graph can easily change the way data is understood.

This is why I think designers have an immense responsibility when it comes to visualizing data honestly. Yes, charts and graphs need to be visually appealing but certain elements of “flare” can muddy the results.

Slava Shestopalov outlined some key mistakes a lot of designers make when it comes to data visualization in his “7 Deadly Sins of Data Visualization” article. I think his opening statement perfectly sums it up: 

“…creative charts are a fair choice when the goal is to entertain, for example, in a fitness app or video game. But if you aim to inform decisions, fanciness is not going to work. ”