A data analyst understands both the statistical and psychological sides of data. In addition to knowing how to interpret data and create charts, a data analyst must also consider how their intended audience will perceive their work. This unit will introduce you to data visualization and the psychology of visual perception.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.
This video introduces the concepts you will learn in this course. Pay attention to the examples of data presentation in the video. What types of data are presented? How can we present data in a way that brings clarity to the audience? How can we solve information problems? As you watch the video, answer these questions and take notes.
This lecture discusses how color, size, and whitespace can increase the amount of information captured in a single graphic and how the deliberate use of design principles can reduce the "time to insight": the time it takes the audience to unpack and understand information. As you watch the video, be sure to take note of these principles.
For a data visualization to be considered useful, it must be understood when presented. Watch this summary of how visual variable properties can guide the creation and presentation of data visualization.
This video will further explain how your audience perceives and understands the visual information you display. Note how the speaker uses the visualization principles discussed to create the figures used in the presentation. The speaker also shares tips for thinking systematically when constructing data visualizations. Be sure to take notes as you watch this presentation.
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.