ABSTRACT
This chapter aims answer the following questions: What is data visualization? Who are the visualization designers and what do they do? Why use data visualization? How can one incorporate data visualization into practice? It examines the role of data graphics in decision making, informing processes, sharing information, sparking discussions, and inspiring future research. The chapter describes data graphics, deliberates on the message they convey, and looks at design visualizations. It discusses the goal of visualization to aid the understanding of data by leveraging the human visual system’s highly tuned ability to see patterns, spot trends, and identify outliers. Data graphics are used to show findings, new insights, or results. The data graphic serves as the visual evidence presented to the audience. The data graphic makes the evidence clear when it shows an interpretable result such as a trend or pattern. Data graphics are only as good as the insight or message communicated.
