John Wiley and Sons, Inc., today announced the publication of Data
Points: Visualization That Means Something (Wiley, 978-1-1184-6219-5,
May 2013, US $39.99). Author Nathan Yau presents an intriguing
complement to his bestseller Visualize This, this time focusing on
visual analysis and the process of designing data graphics. Using
examples from art, design, business, statistics, cartography and online
media, he explores both standard and not so standard concepts and ideas
about illustrating data.
“We often think of visualization as a design and programming task, but
the process starts further back with the data,” said Yau, “If there’s
one thing that I hope people take away from Data Points, it’s that you
have to understand the data – its trends and patterns, along with its
flaws and imperfections – and the rest follows.”
Data Points examines standard rules across visualization applications,
then explores when and where readers can break those rules. The book
includes examples from Yau’s own illustrations, as well as from
professionals in statistics, art, design, business, computer science,
cartography and more. Yau explores the thinking process that helps
readers create original, meaningful visualizations that audiences will
both understand and remember. Some of the tips Yau shares in the book
include:
Discover what data is and what you can learn from it
Learn how to explore your data, find the story and bring it to life
Understand visualization as a medium that lets you present and express
meaning in data
Tap into your creative side and determine the most effective way to tell
your story
Compare tools for exploration and analysis
Allow data, the story and your goals to dictate visualization techniques
with geometry, traditional charts, maps, color, art and even humor.
Data Points: Visualization That Means Something is now available for
purchase online and at retailers nationwide in both print and all e-book
formats. For a list of retailers, www.wiley.com/buy/9781118462195.
For more information about the author, visit www.flowingdata.com.
