What Is a Data Visualization? #
A data visualization project takes numbers, patterns, or information and turns them into visual formats like charts, graphs, or interactive dashboards. Instead of only reading raw data in tables, audiences can see patterns and relationships more clearly. Visualizations can be static (a single chart or infographic) or interactive (where viewers explore different variables, filters, or comparisons).
Why This Format? #
Data visualizations are powerful when you want to show comparisons, trends, or relationships. They can help an audience understand a concept quickly, notice something surprising, or explore how different pieces of information connect. They’re also a great way to practice thinking critically about how design choices affect meaning—what you emphasize, leave out, or make easy to see.
What You Might Learn #
- Visual communication: Learn to explain complex ideas in clear, accessible visuals.
- Critical analysis: Practice interpreting data, noticing patterns, and asking new questions.
- Information design: Experiment with color, layout, and type to make visuals engaging and readable.
- Storytelling with evidence: Learn to combine data and narrative to make an argument or illustrate a trend.
General Process #
- Choose your focus: Decide what question or idea you want your visualization to explore.
- Gather data: Collect a dataset (public data, surveys, or your own collection).
- Clean & organize: Format data so it’s consistent and usable.
- Choose visualization type: Pick charts, maps, or designs that best match the story you want to tell.
- Design & build: Create the visual, add labels, and refine layout.
- Test & revise: Check if your audience can quickly understand the main point. Simplify or clarify as needed.
Accessibility Considerations #
- Use high-contrast colors and avoid relying only on color differences (add patterns, labels, or icons).
- Provide alt text or a written summary of the chart’s main point.
- Ensure charts are readable at different sizes.
- Provide access to the raw data when possible for transparency.
Resources #
Get Support #
Book an appointment with a consultant at the DKC. We would love to help you with your data visualization project!
Guides #
Here are some guides that could help you on your journey:
Software #
- Flourish – free, interactive, beginner-friendly
- Tableau Public – free, powerful, widely used in industry
- Excel – basic but accessible chart-making
- Canva – for infographic-style visualizations
Examples #
We currently don’t have any examples of student projects to share. If you do have a data visualization project you think would be a good example please send us an e-mail at dkc@umw.edu.