Showing, not telling: How the chart says more than a hundred words?

#29: Power of visualization

Created by the author using Freepik graphic

Data visualization makes finding information easier; there is no doubt. Many experiments support that, but I want to focus on the one Mackinlay, Card, and Shneiderman conducted. Their research investigated the effectiveness of visualizing data compared to presenting the same information in textual form. The study found that people could perform visual comparisons of data more accurately and quickly than textual comparisons. Moreover, the visualizations led to better memory retention. So visual representation can not only reduce cognitive load but also improve decision-making.

This is something that we should keep in mind when working with data. And if the information is essential, it should be visualized. What happens when we fail? Let’s use the example of the chart below. Reuters created it to show year-to-date changes in policy rates by some of the central banks. As the description suggests, this is the most important information, yet it is hard to find on the chart.

Chart recreated by the author. Source of the original infographic: Race to hike rates, Reuters

Good data visualization solutions