Chapter 4. Conceiving and Reasoning Visualization Design Options

So far the focus of our attention has been on the uncelebrated but vital preparatory and scoping stages of the data visualization methodology. We have established the purpose of our design and the key factors surrounding the project have been identified and weighed-up. We have also acquired and prepared our data and begun exploring it to identify the key data stories and analytical slices around which we may form our editorial focus.

These contextualizing activities are often neglected because they are understandably deemed not as fun as the design stage. Yet, they will save you time and pain, helping your work to proceed more efficiently by avoiding blind alleys and creative misjudgments.

In this chapter, we will be taking a forensic look at the many design choices involved in the process of establishing an effective visualization solution. We will tackle these choices by working through the anatomy of a visualization design...