Laurel Miller

I think Simplify is most important because it ties into many factors of overstimulation that can deter a viewer from a data visualization – big fonts, charts and legends, too much information. By honing in and focusing on one topic or aspect of a set of data, we can make a more easily understood visualization for viewers. Additionally, by simplifying our design to utilize visuals as much as possible and take out unnecessary explanation tools, the direct (simplified) message of the visualization will be more easily perceived.

I agree with Madison – I believe the simplify principle is most important. With a simplified data visualization tool, we can more easily accomplish the other seven principles. For example, it will be much easier to compare two data visualizations side by side if they are simplified and easy to interpret. If the visualizations are bogged down by legends and excessive text, it will be difficult to compare the two, even if they are side by side. By simplifying these tools, we can also help to shift the effort from our brains to our eyes, as the article points out.

I personally believe that the “view diversely” principle is most important with data visualization for a few reasons. To begin, it allows us to see the data from different perspectives and can eliminate our personal bias. By doing this, we can see things from every angle, not just our own. Next, it allows for us to draw different conclusions about the data sets. Maybe it shows a correlation that wasn’t foreseen. This is one of the best ways to find and understand several data sets and see how they are related to one another!

I believe the most important principle is to ‘Ask why’ because the main goal of data visualizations is to communicate information that informs decision-making. It is not enough to understand what is currently happening but why it is happening which allows decision-makers to capitalize on the findings of the data. By digging deeper into what the data is telling us, we are able to make more informed decisions that creates the opportunity to solve problems, to profit, etc.

I believe that Attend is the most important principle because nothing else in the visualization matters if the audience is focusing on the wrong thing. If you are not sure where to look or what to focus on, then all of the work put into the visualization is not worth much. The human eye is easily distracted by busy or shiny things, so it is essential to test the visualization with an audience that has never seen it before in order to get fresh eyes’ perspective.

I think the most important principle that Hoven mentioned was ‘Be Skeptical.’ In today’s society, there is so much data at our fingertips. It is so easy to access data, yet data might not be accurate. It is so important to not settle on the first answer you get, as it may not be right. We must be aware of the accuracy of the data and be skeptical.

I also think simplify is the most important principle among all eight principles. Because I think to make something easier to understand is the purpose of visualizing data. In Monday’s class exercise, we took a look at 9 graphs, some of the graphs are too simply and cannot tell you the information you want. And some of them are too messy with too much data in one graph. Thus, find the essence among all data and show them in a simple but not too simple way is very important.

I believe that the most important of the 8 principles is “Simplify”. Generally, people gathering data and putting together the data are not the ones making decisions on the data. This means that the visuals need to be simple enough that anyone can understand what the visuals are attempting to portray. The only problem is that sometimes things can be oversimplified. There needs to be a balance of the visuals being simple without being so simple that it cannot be understood. If “Simplify” is followed I think the other 7 principles easily follow.

I think that “Simplify” is the most important principle. This is because I think the best visualizations are simply made and get the point across without cluttering the data. The main point of a visualization is to communicate the data you are showing and if the visualization is not simplified, then the viewer could get distracted and drawn to areas where the creator did not intend. As an example, the taxi driver visualization was very simple even though it probably took awhile to create. The taxi path was very visible and there was nothing to distract the viewer. If the visualization is not simple, then I believe the message conveyed could be different among different people.

I believe that “Simplify” is the most important of the 8 core principles of data visualization. I chose this because the purpose of visualization is to get a point across and show data in a way users can understand it. Data visualizations that are too complex or crowded make it difficult for the users to understand exactly what they’re supposed to be looking at. Complexity is distracting and often hard to fully understand and apply, which defeats the entire purpose of creating a data visualization.

I see “Ask Why” as the most important principle of data visualization. Asking “why” corresponds with a reader’s interpretation of the data being presented. Numbers and variables become real things, and real world action can be taken.

I think “Ask Why” is the most important principle. Just taking surface level information from data is good to a point, but asking why helps you to truly understand what the data means. I found this very pertinent in my internship experience over the past 2 summers. Often, when I’d be doing projects with a lot of data, it was much easier for me to understand the project itself and the results I would find if I put the time into understanding the why behind it.

Among the 8 principles listed in the article, I think “be skeptical” is the most important one. Traditionally, people have been accepting first answer from data because further exploration is too hard. However, without more capable technology, we should always be mindful of the integrity of the data and the methodology to avoid misleading results.

I believe that the most important principle that Few describes is Explore. Exploring data is what allows the viewer to draw conclusions and see patterns. Finding patterns is why we use data visualizations – it allows us to learn more about data and the way that it shows real life correlations.

I believe that “Respond” is the most important principle for data visualization. Although the knowledge you gain from visualizing data might be valuable for yourself, others may be able to use this data to benefit society as a whole. Tools such as Tableau won’t be nearly as useful without the ability to share data visualizations, because there isn’t much one can do with that data alone. Others who are more skilled in certain areas could use the data in a much more efficient manner.

I will go with the majority in agreeing that the most important is simplify. Too often, we see graphs too cluttered with information and that makes them practically unreadable. Simplify reminds us that more isn’t always merrier, sometimes keeping things simple will be the best for you and your readers.

I think explore is the most important. You should be able to identify the information presented and then be able to take the information you’ve gleaned and apply it to the real world and to other fields. The same data can be even more eye-opening when it’s applied to different disciplines.