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Definition of Data Visualization
Data encompasses a wide range of information, from “aggregated numerical reports to empirical sense-based experiences.” This definition acknowledges that data is not limited to quantitative figures but also includes qualitative observations. Data visualizations render information into visual formats, making it more accessible and understandable. By translating data into a visual context, these visualizations help in recognizing and understanding trends and patterns more easily .
STEM fields frequently use traditional graphics in order to provide visual summaries of data. Examples include pie-charts, scatter-plots, or bar graphs, each serving to simplify the interpretation of datasets.
Infographics, which are a specific type of data visualization, offer more design variety compared to traditional graphics. They incorporate a creative design element, blending charts, imagery, and succinct text to convey information in a way that is both engaging and informative.
The Potential of Data Visualization
In his 2012 TED Talk, Jer Thorp shared an inspirational take on data visualization. As the data artist in residence at The New York Times, he contributed to the development of Openpaths, a now-defunct online tool that visualized iPhone location data, mapping users' movements:
Jer Thorp, data artist
Thorp demonstrated the potential of Openpaths by sharing how it made data more relatable and meaningful. He showed a numerical coordinate (Figure 1) on screen and revealed that it represented LaGuardia Airport in New York City. This was not just any coordinate; it was significant to Thorp as it was from the day he moved to New York to begin his residency at The Times.
Figure 1
He then presented another coordinate (Figure 2), this one corresponding to the Thai Restaurant he visited on his first night in the city.
Figure 2
A third coordinate (Figure 3) was displayed without a location, but Thorp disclosed that it marked the day he met his girlfriend.
Figure 3
By narrating his personal experiences, Thorp illustrated that data becomes much more than numbers when placed in a human context—it tells stories. Through visualizing the impersonal coordinates of where they have been, OpenPaths allowed users to revisit and find meaning in their personal histories.
"What we do in the tool ... is we put these pieces of data into a human context. And by placing data into a human context, it gains meaning," Thorp explained.
Thorp's experience demonstrates the profound potential of data visualization: it can endow numbers with a human element, creating memorable and emotional experiences.
You can watch the TedTalk below:
Examples of Data Visualization
Examples of Data Visualization
Here are some relevant real-life applications of data visualization across different walks of life:
Uber and transportation requests
Navigation systems and digital maps
Surveillance and protection of national property
Marketing strategies and user personalization tactics
Weather forecasting
Healthcare and fitness trackers
Political support and hosting fair elections
Financial success and investment health
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