A major transformation is underway in the field of big data analytics. Many of the current trends spring from the convergence of a variety of transformative technologies such as machine learning, AI, natural language processing, IoT, and cloud-based data sources. This evolution not only affects the way data is being collected and stored but also how it is being visualized and shared.
Advanced data visualization and business intelligence tools are becoming more prevalent to help gather and analyze the massive stores of data, allowing users to spot patterns and intricate trends. This technological evolution has allowed Data Analysts to find new methods for creating data visualizations, as well as improved ways to share this information with a wider, non-technical audience. This evolution is expected to continue in the coming years, and to transform the ways we convey data visually.
This article will explore the ways data visualization is projected to change the way we approach data in the future.
What is Data Visualization?
One of the most useful tools available for presenting complicated material in an accessible way is data visualization. This rapidly evolving field is focused on using visual representations like graphs or charts to convey raw data. Presenting data in a visual manner makes it easier to understand and faster to process, even for those who aren’t mathematically inclined or trained in analytics. These visual representations of data aren’t just visually appealing, they also tell a story about the information, allowing audience members to spot outliers, notice trends, and see patterns emerge from data. Visually conveying points is a powerful way to leverage data to achieve the desired outcome.
There are many kinds of data visualizations, each of which serves a specific professional purpose. Some of the most popular techniques for conveying information are:
- Waterfall charts
- Histograms
- Box-and-whisker plots
- Area charts
- Scatter plots
- Infographics
- Pie charts
- Bar charts
- Heat maps
Because we live in an increasingly visual culture, those who know how to present information in visually engaging stories have the power not only to help make sense of past events but to offer predictions for the future as well. As our methods for visually conveying information evolve, so too will the stories being told, as well as the insights that can be taken from these stories.
The Future of Data Visualization
As our reliance on data continues to grow, so does the need for new forms of data visualization, as well as for platforms to display information visually. The following are a few of the ways the art of data visualization is expected to change in the near future:
- Data visualizations for smartphones: As many internet users transition from desktop devices to smartphones, dashboards and visualization charts are being created for smaller screens. As this switch becomes more prevalent, more and more users will be able to perform data analysis directly on their phones and gain actionable insights in the palms of their hands.
- Augmented and virtual reality: Traditional desktop monitors and TV screens are no longer able to represent many of the 2D and 3D images being created. As virtual and augmented reality become more prevalent, they are expected to transform the way data is analyzed and visualized. Virtual reality makes it possible for users to interact with data in a 360-degree virtual environment. This movement toward virtual reality will directly affect aspects of the business world such as meetings, in which information will be able to be presented to executives in an engaging and lifelike manner.
- A greater variety of data sources: Not only is more data than ever being created, but companies are also searching to gain insights from more diverse and complex sources of data. Because the quality of the data visualization depends on the quality of data being used, it will become increasingly important for those working with big data to collect data from many sources to ensure that the resultant visualization is based on quality data.
- Artificial Intelligence: Traditional dashboards cannot always handle the onslaught of complex data that must be represented. By incorporating machine learning, as well as artificial intelligence’s natural language processing capabilities into the data visualization process, it will become easier to extract insights from business data and ultimately make the data visualization process more effective and accurate.
- Data-driven journalism: The current use of statistical maps and infographics in news stories is one example of how data visualizations are already being used in journalism. As more data and tools for analysis become available, data-driven journalism is expected to become much more commonplace in the coming years. This branch of journalism provides an engaging means for quickly and effectively conveying a story.
- The emergence of new data visualization techniques: While traditional charts and graphs have been used to report on data in the past years, better techniques are emerging that are expected to continue to make data visualization more powerful than ever. Technology such as search consoles and Google Charts, as well as other tools that are driven by self-service business intelligence and artificial intelligence, can provide stakeholders with a wider range of actionable insights.
- Data visualization is becoming a social act: With the advent of social media, new methods for including large numbers of users in the data visualization landscape are becoming more prevalent. This trend is expected to continue as more people turn to social media for information. Finding new ways to quickly get the attention of social media users through engaging visual content like YouTube clips and GIFs will likely alter not just how information is being dispersed, but also how social media can become a platform to do so.
Although we cannot predict for certain what the face of data visualization will look like in ten, let alone fifty years, the current advances with visualization software, technique, and tools is just in its infancy. It will no doubt have many ramifications for social media, journalism, mobile technology, and business intelligence.
Hands-On Data Visualization Classes
Are you interested in learning more about how to transform data into engaging visualizations that tell a story? If so, Noble Desktop offers Tableau classes that prepare students to work with this industry-standard data visualization software.
Data analytics classes are open to students with no prior coding experience. These full-time and part-time courses are taught by top New York Data Analysts and provide timely and hands-on training for those wishing to learn more about topics like Python, SQL, Excel, or data science, among others. In addition, Noble’s live online data visualization courses are designed for students who prefer learning in the virtual format.
For those who are passionate about working with data and are looking for an intensive educational experience, Noble’s Power BI Bootcamp is a great option. This class provides an overview of the capabilities of Power BI such as how to query data using Power Query and how to connect datasets via Power BI’s data model. Enrolling in a bootcamp provides the first step toward a high-paying career working with big data.
Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool is designed for those who want to locate other data visualization courses in the area. These courses provide training for those who are new to working with data, as well as those with prior experience who hope to perfect their data visualization skills.