ZeroFour

This week's course has given me a new understanding of data visualization. By studying Kennedy and Hill’s (2017) discussion on the pleasures and pains of visualizing data, I’ve come to realize that data visualization is more than just turning data into charts; it is a powerful narrative tool that can shape and convey deep information and knowledge.

During the course, we learned how to use various tools for visualizing data. For instance, using Microsoft Excel and Tableau Public, these tools help us extract valuable visual presentations from raw data. Through these practical operations, I gained a deeper appreciation for how the design process is just as important as data mining and analysis, as design is key to creating data-driven stories. We also explored the real-world applications of data visualization. For example, Engbretsen and Kennedy’s (2020) edited book, "Data Visualization in Society," discusses how data visualization is applied in social research and policy-making, thereby influencing public opinion and decision-making processes. This made me realize that data visualization is not just a technical activity, but a social action involving multiple dimensions such as power, politics, and culture.

DThrough reading Feigenbaum and Alamalhodaei’s (2020) "A Narrative Approach to Data Storytelling," I learned how to make data storytelling more engaging and effective. Good data visualization should evoke emotional resonance in the audience and motivate them to take action. Therefore, when designing data visualizations, it’s crucial to consider the target audience and how the designers want them to understand and react to the information.