LibGuides: Finding Data: Data Visualization

What is Data Visualization?

What is Data Visualization?

Data visualization is, simply, the visual representation of data and information. Using images like graphs and maps data is transformed so that it is easy to understand and to consume.

Why is Data Visualization Important?

Why is Data Visualization Important?

Data visualization is important because it helps viewers to analyze, process, and understand the information that is being presented. Charts and images and much easier for people to understand than text or number heavy datasets can be. In addition, data visualization can :

Identify areas that need further assessment
Hold the audience's attention longer
Show trends and connect dots
Easily identify outliers

Examples of Data Visualization

The Most Violent Cities

Created by Federica Fragapane

History of Life

Created by Juan Martinez

Tools and Resources

Adobe Illustrator
Millions of designers and artists use Illustrator to create everything from web icons and product packaging to book illustrations and billboards.
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Available on some of the computers in the 24/7 Digital Lab
Adobe InDesign
Whether you work in print or digital media, InDesign can help you create layouts that leap off the page.
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Available on some of the computers in the 24/7 Digital Lab
ArcGIS Maps for Office
Esri Maps for Office is an add-on for Microsoft Excel that lets you create maps from geographic data you have in Excel.
Canva
Canva is a simplified graphic-design tool website. It uses a drag-and-drop format and provides access to over a million photographs, vectors, graphics, and fonts. The tools can be used for both web and print media design and graphics.
CARTO
Formerly known as CartoDB, CARTO is a Software as a Service cloud computing platform that provides GIS, web mapping, and spatial data science tools.
Datavisualization.ch
This is a curated list of selected tools that the staff of Datavisualization.ch have chosen as some of their most used and favorite tools for data visualization.
Google Charts
Google Charts is an interactive Web service that creates graphical charts from user-supplied information.
Infogram
Infogram is a web-based data visualization and infographics platform.It allows people to make and share digital charts, infographics and maps.
Kartograph
Kartograph is a simple and lightweight framework for building interactive map applications without Google Maps or any other mapping service. It was created with the needs of designers and data journalists in mind.
Mind the Graph
Mind the Graph is an infographic maker that specializes in scientific infographics. We provide ready-to-work infographic layouts for designing visual illustrations that highly impact the target audience.
Piktochart
Piktochart is a web-based infographic application which allows users without intensive experience as graphic designers to easily create infographics and visuals using themed templates.
Scribble Maps
The basic service is completely free and allows you to create custom maps, widgets, and images. Share your custom maps with friends or publish them to your website/blog.
Snappa
Create online graphics in a snap. Whip up graphics for social media, ads, blogs, and more - even if you're not a graphic designer.
Visme
Visme is everything you need to tell powerful visual stories in the form of
engaging presentations, infographics and other visual content.