I usually discover uncooked information overwhelming — limitless rows of numbers may be arduous to decipher. That is why I really like information visualization; it transforms advanced figures into clear, intuitive charts that assist me shortly spot developments and perceive the story behind the numbers.
Visible charts and graphs not solely save me valuable time but additionally empower me to make higher selections by contextualizing info in a method that uncooked information simply can‘t.
On this article, I’ll clarify what information visualization is and share some information visualization finest practices that will help you get began.
Desk of Contents
What’s information visualization?
Data visualization lets you manage information in a method that is each compelling and straightforward to digest.
It is about representing information in a visible context, reminiscent of a chart or a map, to assist anybody viewing it higher perceive the significance of that information.
How does information visualization work?
Whereas information shared by way of textual content may be complicated (to not point out bland), information represented in a visible format may help folks extract that means from that info extra shortly and simply.
Information visualization lets you expose patterns, developments, and correlations that will in any other case go undetected,
Static vs. Interactive Information Visualization
Information visualization may be static or interactive. For hundreds of years, folks have been utilizing static information visualization like charts and maps.
Interactive information visualization is a little bit bit newer: It lets folks drill down into the soiled particulars of those charts and graphs utilizing their computer systems and cellular gadgets,after which change which information they see and the way it’s processed.
Time Collection Visualization
Along with static and interactive information visualization, you might also hear the time period time collection visualization. Time collection visualization is what it appears like — visuals that observe information, or efficiency, over a time frame.
That is necessary as a result of a significant purpose why folks need to give attention to information visualization is to indicate adjustments in variables over time.
Time Collection Information Visualization Examples
There are a lot of methods to make use of time-series information visualization — you‘ll be taught extra about these under, however right here’s a fast listing to present you a greater understanding of which visuals are thought of time-series visuals.
- Line chart
- Bar chart
- Space chart
- Bullet graph
Featured Information: An Introduction to Data Visualization
Learn to apply information visualization finest practices in your advertising and marketing with this free information.
How you can Visualize Information: 10 Approaches
1. Line Chart
A line chart is an easy device for visualizing information developments over time. It really works by connecting particular person information factors with a line, which makes it simple so that you can see patterns and adjustments throughout completely different time intervals.
You should utilize a line chart to trace a single information collection or examine a number of collection concurrently. It’s notably helpful for highlighting developments, recognizing fluctuations, and understanding total progress in your information.
2. Bar Chart
A bar chart makes use of rectangular bars to symbolize values, with the size or peak of every bar similar to the amount it represents. This kind of chart is particularly helpful whenever you need to spotlight variations throughout numerous teams or gadgets at a look.
Whether or not the bars are displayed vertically or horizontally, a bar chart makes it simple to see which classes stand out, serving to you to shortly analyze and talk your information.
For instance, say you’ve got been utilizing Casted on your content material advertising and marketing and have to report on which medium is performing finest. You possibly can pull information reviews from the dashboard to visualise the info for key stakeholders.
3. Scatter Chart
A scatter chart is a useful gizmo for inspecting the connection between two variables by plotting particular person information factors on a coordinate aircraft. Every level represents an statement, permitting you to see patterns, correlations, or outliers in your information.
This kind of visualization is good for exploring how adjustments in a single variable would possibly relate to adjustments in one other. It provides you insights into developments and relationships which may not be instantly obvious.
4. Space Chart
An space chart is just like a line chart however fills within the house beneath the road, which helps emphasize the amount of change over time. This visible illustration is helpful whenever you need to present cumulative totals or spotlight how completely different elements contribute to the entire.
By filling within the space under the development line, an space chart could make it simpler to identify patterns, examine magnitudes, and perceive the general impression of the info.
5. Map Chart
A map chart shows information on a geographic map, which makes it simple to see how values differ throughout areas or places. It makes use of colours, symbols, or shading to symbolize numerous information factors in areas like nations, states, or cities.
This kind of chart is particularly useful whenever you need to spotlight regional developments or examine information geographically. With a map chart, you may shortly establish patterns, clusters, or outliers which can be tied to particular areas of the world.
6. Indicator Chart
An indicator chart normally exhibits a number of massive numerical values, usually accompanied by visible cues like colours or icons (e.g., gauge, ticker), to shortly talk whether or not a metric is assembly its goal or requires consideration.
You should utilize an indicator chart to watch efficiency over time, examine present values towards targets, or spotlight necessary information factors on a dashboard. Its clear and direct presentation makes it simple so that you can instantly perceive the standing of a essential measurement with out digging into extra detailed information.
7. Pivot Desk
A pivot desk is a flexible device that helps you shortly summarize and analyze massive information units. It lets you reorganize uncooked information right into a structured format by grouping and aggregating key values, reminiscent of sums, averages, or counts.
With a pivot desk, you may simply examine completely different classes or time durations and uncover patterns which may not be seen within the unique information.
8. Bullet Graph
A bullet graph is designed to indicate progress towards a goal in a transparent and space-efficient method. It sometimes includes a horizontal bar that represents the primary measure, together with markers that point out goal values or efficiency ranges.
This kind of chart is particularly helpful on dashboards, the place it offers a fast snapshot of how effectively a metric is performing towards set targets. By evaluating the size of the bar to the reference markers, you may simply assess whether or not a worth is inside an appropriate vary or if it wants consideration.
9. Field Plot
A field plot is a statistical visualization that summarizes a dataset utilizing its quartiles and highlights any outliers. It shows a field that represents the interquartile vary, with a line inside indicating the median and “whiskers” that reach to indicate the vary of the info.
This chart is helpful for shortly understanding the central tendency, unfold, and symmetry of your information, in addition to figuring out any uncommon observations.
10. Pie Chart
A pie chart is a round graph divided into slices, the place every slice represents part of the entire. This kind of chart is particularly helpful whenever you need to present how particular person classes contribute to an total complete. By displaying information in proportional segments, a pie chart lets you shortly grasp the relative dimension of every class at a look.
Nevertheless, it is handiest when used with a restricted variety of classes to maintain the visualization clear and straightforward to grasp.
Able to really feel impressed? Let’s check out some nice examples to encourage your information visualization concepts.
Examples of Information Visualization
Under are 20 examples of information visualization, break up into two main sections: static and interactive information visualization.
Examples of Static Information Visualization
1. United States Urban Population
This chart goals to indicate the expansion of the agricultural inhabitants versus the city inhabitants in the USA between 1955 and 2024. On the graph, the agricultural inhabitants is inexperienced, whereas the city inhabitants is blue.
What I like: This graph doesn’t make you do any calculations to determine precisely what the agricultural or city populations are. As a substitute, whenever you hover over a bar, you may see the precise determine and share of each populations in that particular yr.
2. Global Warming
On this chart, the World Meteorological Group goals to indicate the rise in international imply temperature over the past two centuries. The chart shows information from six international floor temperature datasets used to trace and analyze the common temperature of the Earth’s floor over time.
In accordance with all six datasets, 2024 was the warmest yr on file, with a world imply floor air temperature of 1.54C.
What I like: The graph represents every dataset with a special colour so you may see when and the way they converge. So, whereas there could also be some slight variations between a minimum of three datasets for the years 1860 by 1880, all six agree that the worldwide floor temperature has been rising steadily since 1970 on the similar ranges.
3. The Advent of Generative AI
This pie chart goals to indicate the software program classes that will probably be affected by the rise of generative synthetic intelligence (AI). It additionally exhibits the levels to which every classes will probably be disrupted. For instance, content material creation would probably be affected essentially the most by generative AI, whereas system infrastructure can be affected the least.
What I like: I like how simple it’s to learn the info on this pie chart. The names of the industries are clearly listed, in addition to their particular person financial values. There’s additionally a colour scheme that allows you to know the extent of disruption/reimagination every class will bear. So, at first look, you realize what you’re and what it means.
4. Labor Supply Growth in Different Countries
As a substitute of utilizing eight different-colored strains on a single graph to symbolize this information, this chart contains eight distinct charts for every nation. Every chart depicts the precise labor provide development in that nation from 2010 to 2023 after which the projected development from 2023 to 2030.
What I like: If the strains don’t converge sooner or later (like within the international warming chart), a stacked line chart generally is a bit tough to learn. I like that McKinsey determined to separate all eight charts and make the info simple to learn.
I ought to be aware, although, that the purpose of those charts isn’t to know the precise determine of labor provide. As a substitute, the visualization notes the place labor provide has been rising and can proceed to develop (or not).
5. Workforce of B Corps
This pictogram goals to indicate the inhabitants of the workforce of the B Corps by sector. It divides the workforce into 5 sectors: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Service, Service with Important Environmental Footprint, and Wholesale/Retail. Then, it makes use of different-colored pictograms to depict the variety of B Corps workforce in every sector.
What I like: Pictograms are a neat and interesting technique to show information, particularly whenever you’re capable of hover over every variable and get the precise quantity/worth of the info. For instance, on this chart, hovering over the yellow pictogram (which represents Service) exhibits that the inhabitants of the B Corps workforce in that sector is 230,160.
6. Popular Opinion of China Over Time in Select Indo-Pacific Nations
This chart depicts the outcomes of 5 surveys by which 1,000 – 1,700 respondents had been requested, “If the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had been compelled to align itself with one of many strategic rivals, which one ought to it select?” The rivals in query are China and the USA, and the surveys had been carried out yearly from 2020 to 2024.
What I like: On the high of the chart, there’s an aggregated graph compiling the solutions of all of the member nations of ASEAN, which decided that, as of 2024, they’d reasonably aspect with China than with the USA.
Nevertheless, I really like that the charts under break down how respondents from every member nation responded through the years. If you hover over the purple or blue bars, you see the odds of people that picked both possibility.
7. Target Candlestick Chart
This boxplot chart follows the motion of Goal’s inventory out there over the previous week. Every candlestick represents sure values that present merchants/buyers when it’s okay to enter or exit the market to maximise income and reduce loss.
What I like: Newbie merchants/buyers (like me, for instance) may not have the ability to have a look at the candlestick patterns and instantly know what they imply. So, I recognize that hovering over every candlestick reveals necessary values like Open, Excessive, Low, Shut, and Quantity, which may inform my buying and selling selections.
9. Popularity of Basketball and Football in the United States
In 2024, Statista surveyed 17,639 American adults who adopted sports activities and requested them which one they adopted: American soccer, basketball, or each. These adults ranged from 18-64 years previous, so Statista broke them up into 5 classes primarily based on age and plotted their solutions on this bar chart.
What I like: I like how every variable was represented with two extremely contrasting colours and the way the odds are put atop every bar. This ensures that, at first look, you may glean info from the chart. For instance, I instantly know that People between the ages of 35 and 44 observe American soccer greater than they do basketball.
Examples of Interactive Information Visualization
10. Private Equity Interest in Mining
This infographic-like chart exhibits the historical past of personal fairness’s curiosity in mining. It begins with a breakdown of the ten largest mining-focused funds to have closed traditionally, with the colours of the tree stumps signifying the places of the funds (e.g., North America, Asia-Pacific, and multi-regional).
It’s a extremely lengthy graph (solely half of it’s within the screenshot above), and as you scroll, the knowledge, graphics, numbers, and so forth., slide onto/seem on the web page.
What I like: This interactive chart is made up of various sorts of graphs, together with pictograms and bar graphs. I really like how the chart compiled all this information in an enticing and reader-friendly method.
11. How Different Nations Approach Governance
There’s no particular reply to the query of what function the federal government ought to play in on a regular basis folks’s lives. Nevertheless, this interactive visualization helps you to discover how completely different nations method governance in the present day.
It measures a number of indicators, together with the rule of legislation, management of corruption, judicial effectiveness rating, authorities integrity rating, property rights rating, tax burden rating, total financial freedom rating, monetary freedom, and life expectancy, amongst others.
What I like: I really like how in-depth this interactive visualization is. Not solely does it present you the scores of various nations primarily based on one of many a number of indicators it measures for, nevertheless it additionally has completely different chart varieties that will help you uncover developments and interpret the mountain of data higher.
For instance, if I need to see the small print of Malaysia’s management of corruption, I may click on on it and get details about Malaysia’s Gross Home Product (GDP), GDP development, well being expenditure fee, employment fee, authorities spending rating, faculty life expectancy, and extra.
12. NASA’s Eclipse Explorer
NASA created this interactive map to assist individuals who’d wish to witness a photo voltaic eclipse know when one will probably be taking place of their location. On the map, you may lookup your metropolis, zoom out and in of the map, and get info on when the following eclipse is estimated to occur.
What I like: I like that the knowledge is spelled out for folks, however they’re nonetheless capable of dictate what they’re in search of. For instance, I looked for Delaware, Ohio on the map. It instantly introduced up details about the following eclipse to occur within the metropolis, what time it’ll occur, how lengthy complete protection will final, and even the estimated temperature of that day.
13. North Korea’s Trash Balloons Explained
For this interactive visualization, Reuters takes the storytelling route to elucidate the balloons North Korea launched into South Korea final yr. The visualization contains principally purple balloons with different luggage connected to the ends, symbolizing the luggage of trash/manure that North Korea connected to the ends of the balloons it launched into South Korea.
What I like: This visualization takes you on a journey. If you first scroll, there are tons of balloons to present you an thought of the size of the balloon launches. Then, the variety of balloons will probably be diminished relative to the batches that North Korea despatched.
I really like how Reuters accompanies every wave of balloons with some details about the dates North Korea despatched it and what number of balloons it despatched.
14. Parallel Lives
This Parallel Lives interactive visualization is a database of distinguished historic figures. These figures are grouped into three classes primarily based on their professions and impression: Tradition, Discovery/Science, and Management.
This graph begins at 3,345 BC, and as you scroll down the graph (and down the years), you see the names of distinguished individuals who existed on the similar time throughout these classes. For instance, in 486 BC, Euripides, Socrates, and Pericles had been all alive, though they had been 12, 2, and 26 years previous, respectively.
What I like: I really like how this visualization lets you contextualize the lives of those figures in relation to 1 one other. It offers their names, professions, and ages, which provides you a broad have a look at what life would possibly’ve been like at the moment, particularly if mentioned figures existed in several elements of the world.
15. The Wealth Disparity Gap
The bigger a quantity is, the more durable it turns into to mentally image and perceive simply how massive it’s. So, whereas most individuals know the distinction between $100 and $1,000, lots of people (myself included) can’t actually image $1 billion, not to mention $320 billion (Elon Musk’s internet price).
With this interactive visualization, Jason Zhang (the creator) makes use of acquainted objects to assist people perceive the rising wealth disparity and its societal implications.
What I like: Similar to the Reuters visualization, I really like how Jason used objects folks see pretty usually to assist folks contextualize wealth.
For instance, this visualization explains that $320 billion is identical as stacking checks of $1 million every atop one another until they attain the peak of a 10-story constructing. It additionally notes that even for those who (and I) make $1 million per hour (I want!), it’ll nonetheless take over 100 years to make as a lot cash as Elon Musk.
That description alone makes it simple for me to grasp the wealth disparity hole between the higher 1% and the remainder of us.
16. Is the Love Song Dying?
The creators of this enjoyable and insightful visualization wished to discover the concept love songs are dying. To do this, it analyzed all 5,100 Billboard Prime 10 hits from 1958 to 2023 and remoted the love songs from the bunch.
The visualization then put these love songs in several classes (e.g., Serenades, Heartache, Pursuit, It’s Sophisticated, and so forth.) and plotted them on a chart to see in the event that they’ve elevated or declined through the years.
What I like: This information visualization is available in 25 slides, and I really like how the creators, David Mora and Michelle Jia, created a story for every slide to elucidate the completely different varieties of affection songs and the evolution of this style over the past 5-6 many years.
17. Most Popular Thanksgiving Pies Across the U.S.
Many American households get pleasure from pie on Thanksgiving, however the flavors they select fluctuate considerably throughout completely different states. Utilizing the Google Tendencies information from October 26 to November 26, 2024, Sherwood Information created an interactive choropleth map exhibiting essentially the most googled pie varieties by state.
What I like: Due to the colours, I can instantly inform that pumpkin pie dominated the Google searches in most American States. Nevertheless, the map goes on to supply extra info once I click on on a selected state.
So, whereas pumpkin pie was the preferred in California (53%), the map additionally exhibits that 33% of households searched “apple pie” and 14% searched “pecan pie.”
18. Sitters and Standers
Over the past 5 many years, work in America has grow to be far much less bodily. Farm work and manufacturing facility work that require standing are more and more being changed by desk jobs, that are sedentary.
The Pudding developed this interactive scatter plot that exhibits the divide between occupations the place employees sometimes stand and people the place they sometimes sit in relation to your individual job (whether or not you sit or stand).
Every sq. represents a selected occupation, with every individual icon inside it representing 50,000 People in that function. The occupations are organized horizontally, with “sitter” jobs on the left and “stander” jobs on the appropriate.
What I like: I like how this interactive scatter plot lets you zoom out and in to discover the roles in the midst of this divide. It additionally plots for various job attributes, reminiscent of the power to decide on whether or not to sit down or stand, schooling ranges, earnings, alternatives to pause work, and publicity to environmental parts.
19. Iran and South China Sea Oil Trade
The world’s largest gathering level for darkish fleet tankers is forty miles east of the Malaysian peninsula. Right here, these tankers, which function with out insurance coverage, switch tens of millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian oil to China.
The charts above are a results of Bloomberg analyzing 5 years of satellite tv for pc imagery of this area to disclose the speedy development of this shadowy oil commerce.
What I like: I really like how these charts clearly present the rise in side-by-side ships within the area from 2020 to 2024, particularly with the precise percentages written beneath every chart.
Slightly than plot this info on a line or bar chart, Bloomberg used a scatter plot to assist viewers visualize the areas the place these ships appeared every year. This fashion, you may see that between 2020 and 2024, the ships grew by over 100% and have become extra concentrated.
20. Tracing Microplastics
About 170 trillion microplastics are floating on this planet’s oceans, posing critical threats to marine life, aquatic ecosystems, and our meals chain.
To offer readers an thought of how harmful these microplastics are, The Strait Instances makes use of an interactive storytelling expertise to discover the Indian Ocean Rubbish Patch, the place microplastic concentrations can attain over a million particles per sq km.
What I like: I really like how methodically this “scrollytelling” expertise breaks down the results of microplastics in oceans and why folks ought to care extra about it. It takes you on a journey from South Asia to East Africa, illustrating how textile microfibers from washing machines enter these rubbish patches and the results of this environmental hazard.
21. PIN Code Popularity
Many individuals depend on four-digit PINS to unlock their telephones, entry their financial institution accounts, and confirm their digital identities. But, many individuals subconsciously select extremely predictable codes that scammers can guess.
ABC Information analyzed tens of millions of PINs uncovered in information breaches and created this interactive heatmap chart to indicate how frequent and weak sure PIN combos are. The brighter the sq. (brilliant inexperienced), the extra weak that quantity is.
For instance, the mixture 1234 makes up practically 1 in 10 of the tens of millions of PINs ABC Information analyzed.
What I like: I like how this heatmap isn’t only a chart; it’s a mindreader of kinds. Past exposing weak PIN combos, it goes into why individuals are probably to decide on these numbers. If you’re conscious of how excessive your likelihood is of being hacked whenever you use these numbers, you’re extra prone to keep away from them.
The great examples of information visualization above are nice to reference whilst you develop your method. Nevertheless, it‘s additionally necessary to contemplate the much less efficient methods to go about information visualization so you realize what to keep away from — so, let’s cowl some unhealthy examples subsequent.
Unhealthy Information Visualization Examples
There are a lot of methods by which information visualization can go unsuitable.
As an example, have a look at this data visualization example of MLS salaries in 2013. The sheer quantity of data on this chart makes it tough to learn.
Moreover, the size of the variables requires viewers members to zoom in considerably to learn the info. A number of the containers which can be getting used to depict information seem like vertical whereas most are horizontal — this additionally makes the knowledge complicated to learn.
If you embrace a number of fully completely different variables inside a single visible, it additionally turns into difficult for viewers members to grasp — the next chart is an instance of this.
One thing else you‘ll need to do is be sure to’re not making your visible extra difficult than it must be. For instance, this chart has plenty of variables which can be depicted by 3D bars. This graph would not have to be 3D — actually, it merely makes the knowledge extra obscure and look at.
Lastly, let’s evaluation some information visualization instruments to assist make this course of easier.
Information Visualization Instruments
There are a variety of information visualization assets accessible in the present day however the next listing is right here to assist get you began. Do not be afraid to check out a couple of choices to find out which possibility fits your wants (and information) finest.
1. HubSpot
HubSpot’s Dashboard and Reporting Software is designed to carry all of your essential enterprise information into one centralized platform. It lets you create customized dashboards and reviews that replicate your advertising and marketing, gross sales, and repair efficiency.
With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you may simply construct visualizations that spotlight key metrics, observe marketing campaign progress, and monitor buyer interactions. The device additionally integrates seamlessly with different information sources to make sure that all of your necessary info is definitely accessible in a single place.
2. Tableau Desktop
Tableau Desktop is a strong information visualization device that helps you join to varied information sources and create interactive dashboards with ease. There are easy-to-make maps, indicators, and plenty of extra visuals, in addition to easy analytics that permit you to derive actionable info from calculations, reference strains, and forecasts because of your visuals.
With built-in analytics options and help for a variety of information connectors, Tableau Desktop simplifies the method of exploring and sharing your information.
3. Databox
Databox is designed to carry all of your information sources collectively into one centralized dashboard. There are over 100 integrations that may provide help to shortly and simply create visuals with pre-built dashboards and reviews. You may as well create customized metrics and monitor your KPIs in real-time.
Databox then lets you hook up with Google Sheets or an SQL database, or you may push it by way of API to view and share your information.
4. Google Charts
Google Charts is a free device from Google that allows you to create all kinds of interactive charts on your web site or internet app. It makes use of HTML5 and SVG expertise to render high-quality visuals that work throughout completely different gadgets and browsers. The device gives a easy API that makes it simple to combine customized charts into your tasks.
With intensive documentation and plenty of chart varieties accessible—from line charts and bar charts to extra advanced maps and gauges—Google Charts offers versatile customization choices to fulfill your particular information visualization wants.
Develop Higher With Information Visualization
Engaged on this piece has made me notice that information visualization isn’t nearly making information look interesting—it’s a strong device that helps me (and also you, hopefully) shortly establish, talk about, and act on insights.
By experimenting with numerous visualization instruments and drawing inspiration from each profitable examples and customary pitfalls, you may remodel advanced information into clear, actionable info on your viewers.
Editor’s Observe: This put up was initially revealed in March 2015 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
