Data Visualization in Environmental Public Health: From Data to Insight
Using Inappropriate Visual Design Elements
How to Make It Better Remove unnecessary visual elements. • Use a solid background and one consistent bar color. • Place the months on a flat, easy-to-read x-axis, and remove the reflected labels. • Reduce or lighten gridlines to minimize visual clutter. • Add data labels if exact values are important and use a clear title that states the chart’s main takeaway. • Remove shadows, gradients, side panels, and other effects that do not communicate information.
What’s Wrong with This Visual? This bar chart uses visual effects that distract the viewer from the visualization’s message. • The use of 3D makes it hard to identify the value each bar represents. • The inclusion of text reflections on the x-axis adds visual clutter. • The color gradient in the chart’s background does not add information that helps the viewer better understand the visualization. • The chart does not provide data labels, so readers must estimate each monthly value from a distorted scale.
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