Data Visualization Best Practices: Dos and Don'ts

Data visualization is an art that requires attention to detail. Discover the best practices and mistakes to avoid, to create striking visuals.

In the world of data visualization (cool cats call it dataviz), the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" holds true. When done right, dataviz can convey complex information in a clear and compelling manner. However, creating effective visuals requires attention to detail and adherence to best practices. In this article, we'll explore the dos and don'ts of data visualization to help you avoid common mistakes and achieve stunning results.

THE DOS

Start with a Clear Purpose:

DO: Clearly define the purpose of your dataviz. What message do you want to convey? Who is your target audience? Understanding these aspects is crucial before diving into design.

Choose a Memorable Layout:

DO: Select an appropriate chart type to represent your data. But instead of choosing a “safe standard” like histograms or pie charts, imagine a custom, more memorable layout.

Make it Your Own:

DO: With the help of Photoshop’s advanced tools and techniques, make your visual look personal and unique by applying to it a style that is based on your own influences and inspirations.

Keep it Simple but Stylish:

DO: Keep your visualizations simple and uncluttered. Be generous with margins and white space, conservative with colors and fonts, and subtle with effects and textures.

Don’t Forget the Legend:

DO: Ensure that your audience can understand and interpret everything they see in the visual, by preparing a descriptive legend of all graphical elements.

Employ Proper Typography:

DO: Pay attention to typography. Use legible fonts, maintain font consistency, and adjust font size for readability, especially in small details.

Consider Accessibility:

DO: Make your dataviz accessible to all by ensuring optimal color contrast across text and other graphical elements. Once your project is ready for posting on social media, don’t forget to add alt text to all images.

Test and Iterate:

DO: Test your data visualization with a sample audience and gather feedback. Iterate and refine your design based on user input to improve its effectiveness.

THE DON'TS

Avoid Overcomplicating:

DON'T: Overcomplicate your dataviz with unnecessary details, effects, or excessive use of colors. Keep it clean and straightforward.

Steer Clear of Approximate Representations:

DON'T: “Eye-ball” visual representations of your data, which can mislead your audience. Use spreadsheet and vector graphics techniques to accurately depict precise amounts.

Refrain from Overloading Information:

DON'T: Overload your visualization with too much data, as this can overwhelm your audience. Stick to the essential information and save the details for supplementary materials.

Don't Skip Proofreading:

DON'T: Neglect proofreading your labels, captions, and annotations. Typos and errors can undermine the credibility of your work.

Avoid Unexplained Jargon:

DON'T: Assume that your audience understands industry-specific jargon. Provide explanations for any technical terms or acronyms used in your visual.

Say No to Inconsistent Styling:

DON'T: Mix styles, be it through fonts, colors, or textures, as it makes reading difficult for viewers. Maintain a cohesive style throughout your visualization.

Don't Rush the Design Process:

DON'T: Rush through the design of your dataviz. Take the time to plan, craft, and refine the details of your work. Your patience will be rewarded.

Not Sharing is not Caring:

DON'T: Lose momentum and focus. Once finished with your design, immediately prepare a series of posts for the promotion of your project on social media.

For those eager to dive deeper into the crafting and styling of data-based artwork, I invite you to explore my course on Domestika: "Data Visualization with Photoshop: Illustrate Complex Information". In this course, you'll learn advanced techniques and hands-on skills to create compelling informative visuals using Photoshop's powerful features.

As a token of appreciation for reading this article, I'm offering you a free additional resource – a glossary of tools and terms useful when using Photoshop. You can access it here.

Remember, mastering the art of data visualization is a journey. By following these dos and don'ts and continuously improving your skills, you'll soon be on your way to creating unique and informative visualizations that captivate your audience. Happy designing!