In the world of data, transforming raw information into a compelling visual narrative is an art form known as information visualization. The creation of information visualizations is not just about making data understandable but is also about the presentation of the information in a way that makes it memorable and enjoyable for viewers.
Elements of Information Visualizations
Before delving into the creation process, understanding the components of a good data visualization is essential. As highlighted in Visual Mapping – The Elements of Information Visualization, the spatial substrate, graphical elements, and graphical properties play crucial roles. The spatial substrate sets the stage, determining the axes and data type. Graphical elements like points, lines, surfaces, and volumes are the visual elements that will appear in your spatial substrate that will convey your data. Meanwhile, graphical properties like size, orientation, color, textures, and shapes are applied to your graphical elements which will be noticeable and valuable to your viewers.
Moreover, in the pursuit of crafting a meaningful visual narrative, it’s important to remember the four elements for a successful data visualization that David McCandless has outlined. According to him, visualizations must seamlessly integrate information, function, visual form, and story. It’s a delicate balance — with only two elements, a visualization risks appearing prototypical and sketchy, while three elements without the fourth likely leads to an end product that is lacking something. McCandless notes that the combination of information, function, and visual form without a compelling narrative renders a visualization “boring,” emphasizing the central role of storytelling. This approach of considering functionality, goal, information, and story, forms the backbone of McCandless process and encourages creators to reflect on the intricacies between these elements when it comes to making impactful data visualizations.
Visual Numbers: National Coffee Routines
With this knowledge, I began creating the National Coffee Routines infographic. The stacked paper cups became not just holders of coffee but carriers of statistical stories. The spatial substrate, serving as the canvas for this narrative, mapped out the progression of the day. Strategically opting for a left to right arrangement, the spatial substrate mirrors the chronological flow of morning to evening, presenting a seamless visual journey.
The graphical elements, manifested in the form of stacked paper cups, transcended their ordinary function of holding beverages, like coffee, to become the visual metaphor of this narrative. Each cup, meticulously sized and arranged, embodied a specific percentage, turning the material into a visual representation of the coffee culture in America. From the towering stack of 81% with breakfast to the solitary cup at 10% in the evening, the graphical elements work together to form a visual story of America’s nuanced relationship with its favorite caffeinated beverage.
Working with these graphical elements, a number of graphical properties are incorporated into the infographic to give it value. The sizes of the cups, deliberately chosen, represent not just statistical significance but also the weight of each coffee-drinking routine. Orientation plays a subtle yet crucial role, guiding the viewer through the narrative flow from morning to evening routines. In the creation of the National Coffee Routines infographic, a meticulous color palette was selected to evoke the cozy richness of the coffee experience. The dark burgundy or maroon covers the images of the paper coffee cups. This deep, inviting hue resonates with the essence of a well-brewed cup, signifying the core of the data—America’s coffee consumption routines. The stacked cups, adorned in this warm shade, not only highlights the prevalence of coffee in many people’s daily routines but also displays a sense of comfort and tradition. Contrastingly, the textual elements are presented in a delightful interplay of a medium to dark shade of brown with reddish undertones. This hue embodies the significance of the percentage data, infusing a touch of warmth and familiarity. The text coordinates with the overall color scheme, adding a layer of depth and resonance to the represented statistics. This lively and fresh color shade combines the qualities of green and hues of blue. This choice aligns seamlessly with the 81% of Americans who initiate their day with a cup of coffee, inserting a vibrant energy into the visual representation. Together, this precisely curated color palette transforms the “National Coffee Routines” infographic into a captivating visual narrative. The dark burgundy cups, the warm brown percentages, and the lively greenish-blue text converge to create a cohesive and immersive experience. Each color becomes a storyteller, enhancing the viewer’s connection with the statistical stories held within the cup — a blend of data and aesthetics.
Overall, each stack of cups is carefully placed and proportioned, transformed into a data visual contributing to the larger picture of America’s coffee culture. The spatial substrate, graphical elements, and graphical properties harmoniously collaborate to not just depict data but to immerse the audience in a visual story, where every cup and routine becomes an element in the canvas of coffee-infused American lifestyles.
Moreover, in embracing the principles explained by David McCandless, the four essential elements—information, function, visual form, and story—became a guide in the creation of the National Coffee Routines infographic. The information obtained from national coffee trends was carefully selected to resonate with the audience. The function, rooted in the purpose of revealing the nuances of coffee consumption, propelled the design choices. Each cup size, orientation, and color became not just aesthetic decisions but functional components enriching the viewer’s understanding. Visual form emerged as a vital aspect, as the arranged stacked cups transformed data points into a visual representation. Yet, perhaps the most crucial element, as McCandless advocates, is the story. Each percentage and its corresponding stack form a chapter in the narrative, inviting the viewer into the cultural landscape of American coffee routines. The combination of these elements worked together to create an infographic that transcends data and transforms into a visual journey through the daily routines of coffee enthusiasts.
In the end, the National Coffee Routines infographic takes us on a visual journey through the world of information visualization. Each element, from the arrangement of cups to the chosen colors, plays a crucial role in telling the story of American coffee habits. I applied David McCandless’ principles—information, function, visual form, and story—with care, ensuring a balance that went beyond just presenting data. Every cup found its place in the bigger picture of how coffee is woven into the fabric of American daily life. This infographic isn’t just a display of numbers, it’s a representation of the interplay between design elements and data that helps bring statistics to life.
References:
“Information Visualization – a Brief Introduction.” The Interaction Design Foundation, www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/information-visualization-a-brief-introduction.
Beautiful, Information is. “What Makes a Good Data Visualization?” Information Is Beautiful, informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/what-makes-a-good-data-visualization/.
“Visual Mapping – the Elements of Information Visualization.” The Interaction Design Foundation, www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/visual-mapping-the-elements-of-information-visualization.
Watson, Hugh. (2017). Data Visualization, Data Interpreters, and Storytelling. Business Intelligence Journal. 22. 5-10.
Tableau. “Data Visualization Beginner’s Guide: A Definition, Examples, and Learning Resources.” Tableau Software, Tableau, 2018, www.tableau.com/learn/articles/data-visualization.