Teaching an old dog new tricks How data visualisation & design can be used by everyone SAMRA 2013 Cara Morris & Sarah Wocknitz 1 What to expect… Introduction Timeline Why Data Visualisation? Inspiration Study Toolbox Conclusion 2 Introduction 3 Introduction The ability to take data — to be able to understand it, to process it, to extract value from it, to visualize it, to communicate it — that’s going to be a hugely important skill in the next decades… because now we really do have essentially free and ubiquitous data. So the complimentary scarce factor is the ability to understand that data and extract value from it. by Hal Varian Visualisation of a Facebook friends network created in 10 minutes using Netvizz and Gephi 4 Introduction Visualisation of @Cara_CT’s Twitter mentions over the past week created in 5 minutes using tweetarchivist.com 5 Timeline of Data Visualisation 6 Timeline of Data Visualisation Up to the 17th century 1700 to 1799 1600 to 1699 1850 to 1900 1800-1849 1950–1975 1900 to 1949 1975 until today 7 Why Data Visualisation? 8 Why Data Visualisation? Infographic • presents information • edit & organise data, then create summary/story Data Visualisation • exploration of the data • graphic is a tool that allows you to explore the data on your own 9 Why Data Visualisation? Let’s break down some facts…. • human communications have existed for about 30,000 years • textual communication has been with us in different forms for only 3,700 years • emotions play an essential role in decision making • pictures enhance or effect emotions and attitudes 10 Why Data Visualisation? ...unless our words, concepts ideas are hooked onto an image, they will go in one ear, sail through the brain, and go out the other ear. Words are processed by our short-term memory where we can only retain about 7 bits of information. (..) Images, on the other hand, go directly into long-term memory where they are indelibly etched; therefore it's not surprising that it is much easier showing a circle than describing one. by Dr. Lynell Burmark 11 Why Data Visualisation? • information needs to be conveyed quickly • that's why we have all these signs, maps, instructions, schematics, icons & symbols • the goal of any graphic is to be a tool for your eyes and brain to perceive what lies beyond their natural reach • the brain always tries to close the distance between observed phenomena and knowledge that can help us survive (this is what cognition means) 12 Why Data Visualisation? OUR job is to generate or specify an order before people's brains to do it on their own. Just making a graph pretty isn't doing your job. You need to paint a clear and powerful picture that makes people sit up, take notice, and say "Ah ha!”. by Stephen Few 13 Why Data Visualisation? 6 5 4 Series 1 3 Series 2 2 Series 3 1 0 Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 6 5 1st Qtr 4 Series 1 3 Series 2 Series 3 2 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr 1 0 Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 14 Why Data Visualisation? Any project should start by analysing what your story is about, splitting it up into easily digestible chunks, without losing depth and ask yourself; "What's the point?“ “What's the story?" 15 Why Data Visualisation? Bubble charts are good for vague comparisons and an overall picture, like David McCandless’ Snake oil chart. 16 Why Data Visualisation? • the human brain is not very good at comparing areas, but is better with distinguishing lengths and heights • bar charts are better for precise and accurate comparisons and rankings • all in all visual clues help us decode text and attract attention to information or direct attention increasing the likelihood that the audience will remember. 17 Some inspiration 18 The London Underground Harry Beck • engineering draftsman at the London Underground Signals Office • famous for creating the London Underground tube map in 1931 19 The London Underground Previous to Beck’s graphic 1931 20 The London Underground The London Underground Map 21 The London Underground Moscow Underground map Singapore Underground map 22 Sparkling Showcase Spain France Germany Australia Poland Russia Turkey UK USA Brazil Netherlands Nigeria SA China India Growth Relative growth Current -0.4 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.6 2.9 1.8 4.1 3 4.2 3.5 5.4 4.2 2.5 1.9 -5 18 19 22 36 36 64 82 86 120 125 150 175 357 475 8.7 12.5 9.9 7.6 4.5 8.1 2.8 5 3.5 3.5 2.8 3.6 2.4 0.7 0.4 23 Sparkling Showcase 24 Cape Town’s bicycle lanes 25 So, what do YOU think? 26 We conducted a short survey among researchers to find out from them what they think design is, how important they feel it is and what the obstacles to implementing design in their reporting are. 27 Obstacles Time • overly complicated data visualisations • knowledge of design saves time • tips and tricks Resource • “We need a designer!” • software • online platforms 28 Obstacles (cont.) Rigid Templates • style guides • think outside of the box Lack of storytelling ability • make sure your story is clear • use visualisation as a back up rather than allowing it to tell the story 29 Toolbox 30 General tips De-emphasize non-essential information Important: Info needs to be there if someone looks for it, but not all information is created equal – some info is more important than others. Consistency Choose a way of doing something and stick with it throughout your entire report! Minimise redundancy Less is more. 31 Typography DO’s • be consistent: only use 1 font for word clouds and similar things • play around with the size, spacing and weight 32 33 Spacing Playing with your font spacing is FUN. You can play with the width and either make it NARROW or s t r e e e t c h it. 34 Shapes VS. SHAPES instead of lines Phase 1 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 3 35 Shapes 36 White Space The use of white space is highly underrated We need to reign in our compulsion to “fill in the gaps” 37 Colours RIGHT WRONG OK OK Alert OK OK Alert Alert OK OK Alert OK OK OK Alert OK OK Alert OK 38 Colours In the RYB colour model, the primary colours are RED, YELLOW and BLUE. The seconday colours (GREEN, ORANGE, PURPLE) are created by mixing the primary colours. The six tertiary colours are created by mixing primary and secondary colours. 39 Recipe to become a Data Visualisation expert • study • steal • critique • produce • step out of your comfort zone 40 Conclusion 41 Conclusion We’ve come a long way but we still have far to go. QUESTIONS? 42