This document discusses data visualization and annotation. It notes that the goal of data visualization should be to reveal patterns, provide context, compare scales, and describe geography. Effective visualization also allows people to look up related information. The document emphasizes that annotation and editing are critical to help explain the data being presented. Generic solutions are rarely the best approach and the best journalism avoids vague templates.

1. Visualizing Data at
Amanda Cox
amanda.cox@gmail.com

3. amandacox.tumblr.com
@nytgraphics

4. What are you trying to do?
Reveal patterns
Provide context
Compare scales.
Describe geography.

12. Nothing really important is ever
headlined “Here is some data.
Hope you find something
interesting.”
Annotation is critical.
Editing is critical.

13. What are you trying to do?
Reveal patterns
Provide context
Compare scales.
Describe geography.
Let people look up stuff.

15. Sketching is important.
The best journalism is probably not mad libs.
Generic solutions are pretty rarely awesome.

35. v

46. http://cstl-csm.semo.edu/gathman/cottonvote.htm

47. http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/strangemapsoverlay1.jpg

48. http://www.vigorousnorth.com/2008/11/black-belt-how-soil-types-determined.html

49. Thanks!
amanda.cox@gmail.com
@nytgraphics