Introduction to Information Visualization

Book excerpt: Introduction to Information Visualization: Transforming Data into Meaningful Information is for anyone interested in the art and science of communicating data to others. It shows readers how to transform data into something meaningful - information. Applying information visualization in research, service, teaching, and professional life requires a solid understanding of graphic design and the aesthetic along with hands-on skills and knowledge of data principles and software. This book is applicable to students in all domains, to researchers who need to understand how to create graphics that explain their data, and to professionals and administrators for professional development training. Website Designers and Human-Computer Interaction researchers will appreciate the backstory of designing interactive visualizations for the web. Drawing on the author’s years of practice and teaching, it bridges the two worlds in ways everyone can participate in the future of information and to appreciate the beautiful in information: Step-by-step directions in the fundamentals of HTML5, CSS, and d3.js Design challenges with fully explained answers Web-site support for code samples (JavaScript, d3.js, python), live examples, and a place to build a community of other IV pros Useful for teaching design to scientists; data to the humanities Guidance for using the text depending on the class makeup Review of third-party visualization software, big data trends, and script libraries Guidance on how to continue in the IV world after graduation This full-color book features graphics and a companion Web site. The online companion site hosts living examples, updates, and errata. You’re invited to participate on the site, too, sharing your questions, solutions, and ideas. For most readings, there is a partner design lab. At the conclusion of the course, there is a complete interactive information visualization service documentation for libraries.