Role and importance of editorial thinking in data visualization
Data visualization is a vital part of data analysis. Data or any kind of information can be represented graphically using the data visualization method. The graphs or charts are considered visual elements, and researchers can utilize the tools of data visualization to get insight regarding data patterns and trends (Buja, Cook & Swayne, 1996). Various proportions of editorial thinking are vital in influencing multiple design choices.
The function of editorial thinking
Editorial thinking mainly refers to the type or intent of a data curator to prioritize subjectivity and choosing one kind of portrayal over another. In data visualization, representation of data is considered one of the vital priorities, and therefore, the data curator is responsible for making decisions regarding the type of values that will be used, type of date parameters, minimum threshold value, and most importantly the usage of sensible and clutter-free choices. Making legitimate choices is vital in data visualization. Editorial thinking plays a crucial role because it allows the curator to “choose” or define what they want to show to the audience. This type of thinking later helps to develop a range of design solutions because the curator has considered multiple design options before making a final choice (Weissgerber et al., 2015). This, in turn, will enhance the data quality and characteristics. In the case of the design process, a basic understanding of various data types is vital, and it can influence the workflow. Therefore, establishing the right editorial kind of thinking is inevitable.
For example, if someone has data that has broken down an organization’s expenditure based on different geographic locations over a while, it is evident that the audience is supposed to get informed about the changes that took place over time. However, the curator might have suddenly identified some interesting patterns after looking closely. At this point, the curator needs to decide whether to show the pattern to the audience or regions that might be of interest to the audiences. The curator might have to make decisions regarding the particular layout, chart type, interactivity, and so on.
Personal opinion regarding its importance
Personally, I understood that editorial thinking is helpful in data visualization. It can help one decide the presentation of data after making vital modifications. Most importantly, the design choices get influenced, and I shall be able to understand the function of data from a range of perspectives such as focus, framing, and angle. The purpose is to make it look interesting and appealing to the audience. For instance, the angle is a relevant point to consider because my intended audience might face difficulty if they do not feel familiarized with the data.
In journalism, human interest, as well as proximity, is vital ingredients that must be considered to retain the attention span of the audience (Weber & Rall, 2012). These ingredients shape the new content, and therefore, editorial thinking catalyzes the process of data visualization. It is vital to gather information regarding the needs of the audience and then to focus on the representation.