Characteristics of file formats and ease of conversion Term 2 – Week 10 VCE IT – UNIT 2

Characteristics of file formats and ease of conversion Most data-visualisation tools will produce a visualisation (i.e. Excel produces graphs, charts etc.). Websites that deal with public data sets, such as Google public data explorer, use Flash to animate their visualisations. Some can then be saved to your harddrive.

Functions of data visualisation software Spreadsheet software often provides the tools to create a static visual representation, however in order to create animated visualisation you need to register to use more complex tools such as: – Many Eyes – Google Chart Tools – Any Chart

Formats and conventions applied to visualisations A good data visualisation tells one story. It should be easy to understand, clear to identify and without ambiguity. Format conventions should enhance the appearance of information and make it more readable.

Formats for data visualisations A format helps to change the appearance of a piece of information using features such as font, margins, spacing, columns, tables, graphics, borders etc. A good data visualisation should use formats to increase the effectiveness of the information. These should include: – Easy-to-read fonts for headings – A chart format that clearly shows the information being communicated – Colour gradients that are easy to distinguish

Conventions for data visualisations A convention is a well-known rule used to communicate information (e.g. The way an envelope is addressed). Conventions for data visualisations include: – Clearly identifying the data source at the footer of the visualisation – Providing a heading, stating the purpose of the visualisation – Inserting labels that show what the data is and what unit of measurement is being used – Inserting a footer and showing who has created the chart and for whom.

Identify and explain three formats and three conventions that should be considered when creating a data visualisation.