Data visualization
Chapter 01
Introduction of Data
Visualization
Tiết Gia Hồng
tghong@[Link]
Why do we need this course?
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Population, 1950 to 2023
Population & Demography Data Explorer - Our World in Data
The Problem with “Raw Data”
• Activity (3 mins): Find the largest number in
this table
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The Solution: Heatmap
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Anscombe's Quartet
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Anscombe's Quartet
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How do we see?
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The Science of How We See
• We don't go in order: Eyes jump around (saccades),
usually starting at the center/top-left.
The Science of How We See
• We see first what stands out: Contrast (Color/Size)
grabs attention instantly.
The Science of How We See
• We see first what stands out: Contrast (Color/Size)
grabs attention instantly.
The Science of How We See
• We see only a few things at once: Working memory is
limited (3-4 items max).
The Science of How We See
• We see only a few things at once: Working memory is
limited (3-4 items max).
The Science of How We See
• We see only a few things at once: Working memory is
limited (3-4 items max).
The Science of How We See
• We see only a few things at once: Working memory is
limited (3-4 items max).
The Science of How We See
• We seek meaning: The brain constantly tries to connect
dots (Gestalt).
Exit this room. Turn right and walk 10 feet to the
end of the hallway, where you’ll be facing a large
conference room. Turn left and walk another 12
feet until you come to the end of that hallway. To
your left is a fire alarm, near the elevator. To your
right at the end of the hall is a stairwell. Do not go
to the elevator. Turn right and walk another 12 feet
to the end of the hall, turn left and enter the
stairwell. Go down two flights of stairs and exit the
building at the door at the bottom of the stairs.
The Science of How We See
• We seek meaning: The brain constantly tries to connect
dots (Gestalt).
The Science of How We See
• We seek meaning: The brain constantly tries to connect
dots (Gestalt).
The Science of How We See
• We rely on conventions: Red = Danger, Up = Good. Don't
break these rules!
The Science of How We See
• We rely on conventions: Red = Danger, Up = Good. Don't
break these rules!
Early modern charting
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Bar, line & pie charts
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Bar, line & pie charts
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Napoleon's march to Moscow - 1812
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Dot map of cholera deaths - 1854
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Nightingale chart - 1855
• Produces image
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Definition of Visualization
“The use of computer-supported, interactive, visual
representations of abstract data to amplify cognition”
Card, Mackinlay, & Shneiderman
▪ Computer-supported: Not hand-drawn.
▪ Interactive: Zoom, filter, hover.
▪ Abstract Data: Stocks, Votes, Sales (Non-physical data)
▪ Amplify Cognition: Make you smarter.
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Purpose of data visualization
• To explore data interactively, enabling
deeper analysis and discovery.
• To communicate information clearly and
effectively to different audiences.
• To support decision-making by making
data-driven insights more accessible.
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Visualization Areas
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Visualization Areas
• There are many areas under “visualization”
▪ Data Visualization
▪ Information Visualization
▪ Scientific Visualization
▪ Algorithm Visualization
▪ Software Visualization
▪ etc.
• Each area may use techniques developed in other
areas.
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Data Visualization
• communicate information
Data
Raw values that have not been
analyzed or interpreted.
Buying prices: 64, 65, 64.5,
65.5...
Selling prices: 67, 66, 66.8,
65.25...
Times: 8:07, 8:50...
Discrete values with no inherent
meaning on their own.
Collected through measurement
or recording systems.
Serves as input for the
information generation process.
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Information Visualization
• study of visual representation of abstract data
to reinforce human cognition.
Information
Đỉnh The meaning extracted from data
after processing, comparison, or
Đáy visualization.
Gold price peaked at 66.8
around 11:36.
The spread between buy and
sell prices fluctuated.
There was a noticeable drop in
prices around 15:33.
Interpreted insights, useful for
decision-making.
Derived through data analysis or
visualization.
Final output with meaning,32
used to
make decisions.
Scientific Visualization
• Primarily concerned with the visualization of three-
dimensional phenomena, where the emphasis is on
realistic rendering of volumes, surfaces, illumination
sources, etc., perhaps with a dynamic (time) component.
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Algorithm Visualization
• Algorithm Visualization shows all the states of the
data structures during the execution of an algorithm.
▪ Therefore, algorithm visualization usually uses animation.
▪ A cryptography algorithm visualization helps the user to see
all the procedures.
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Software Visualization
• Software Visualization is the practice of creating
visual tools to map software elements and/or display
various aspect of source code of a software systems.
▪ It may show the architecture, the running behavior, the
development process, etc.
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Common Visualization Issues
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Clutter (Sự rối rắm)
• Too much data, too many colors, "Spaghetti" charts.
• Result: User is overwhelmed.
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Confusion (Sự khó hiểu)
• Missing labels, undefined axes, inappropriate chart
type (Pie for trends).
• Result: User doesn't understand the message.
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Deception (Sự lừa dối)
• Truncated Axis (starting from 50%), 3D distortion,
Inconsistent scales.
• Result: User draws wrong conclusions.
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"Chart Junk"
"Visual elements in charts that are not necessary to
comprehend the information or that distract the viewer.“
Edward Tufte (1983)
Common Culprits:
• Heavy grid lines
• Unnecessary 3D effects
• Redundant labels
• Decorative patterns
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Principle: Data-Ink Ratio
• Edward Tufte's Rule:
• Goal: Maximize this ratio.
▪ Remove:
o Background grids (if unmatched).
o 3D effects, shadows, cute icons.
o Redundant labels.
▪ Keep: The data bars, the trend lines.
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Visualization workflow
Best data
data collection exploratory
start
& processing questions
Formulate
Try again our question
Charts
visualization
vis method
evaluation
table, bar, line,
tree, pie, radial,
scatterplot,… 42
Visualization Tool
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Tableau Desktop
[Link]
Tableau Public
https:[Link]
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[Link]
D3 by Observable | The JavaScript library for bespoke data visualization
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Exercises
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Exercise 1:
1. What is wrong with it?
2. Is it misleading? How to fix it?
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Exercise 2:
• Data: Student Preferences
▪ Toán: 40 votes
▪ Tin học: 35 votes
▪ Ngữ văn: 25 votes
• Sketch 3 different ways to visualize this.
Comparison? Composition?
Q&A