Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data. By using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps, data visualization tools provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data. In the world of Big Data, data visualization tools and technologies are essential to analyze massive amounts of information and make data-driven decisions.
The concept of using pictures to understand data has been around for centuries, from maps and graphs in the 17th century to the invention of the pie chart in the early 1800s. Several decades later, one of the most cited examples of statistical graphics occurred when Charles Joseph Minard mapped Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. The map depicted the size of the army as well as the path of Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow — and tied that information to temperature and time scales for a more in-depth understanding of the event.
Today, data visualization has become a rapidly evolving blend of science and art that is certain to change the corporate landscape over the next few years. It is used in a variety of fields, including business, science, and journalism, to help people understand and communicate complex data. With the increasing amount of data being generated, data visualization is becoming an increasingly important tool for making sense of it all.