Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Creating interactivity
At its best, a static visualization is like a powerful photograph—a carefully
conceived, arranged, and executed vision that manages to portray the sequence
or motion of a story without the actual deployment of movement. In my humble
opinion, delivering such an immersive experience through static design is the most
elegant demonstration of data visualization.
That said, enhancements in technology over the past decade have created
incredible opportunities for talented developers to construct powerful interactive
visualizations. From the rapid diffusion of fast access to the Web, the development
of advanced software, and programming environments, through to the immediate
access to millions of live data records and the range of responsive platforms on
which we can now access information, the richness of potential interactivity can
lead to some incredible work.
We are currently witnessing a generation of outstanding interactive visualization
projects, representing a paradigm shift in the levels of creativity, innovation, and
user experience. Where once we were trapped by the limitations of a single sheet
of paper, the limited real estate offered by a VDU and the slow speed of our
Internet connections, now there are few, if any, genuine barriers to the potential
of interactive visualizations.
Like we suggested earlier, the very best examples of interactivity manage to make
the visible, invisible. That is, the functions of interactivity blend into the design so
seamlessly and intuitively that the apparatus of interaction is inseparable from the
data portrayal—we no longer view it as a tool wrapped around a data visualization.
Inevitably, the potential development of an interactive design requires technical
capabilities. There is no way of avoiding that. Otherwise, the option to build
an interactive will simply be a non-starter. Other constraints such as platform
compatibility, data loading speed, and server capacity need to be factored in as
well. Your ambitions may be lofty and impressive but you need to be realistic about
what you can actually accomplish and this should have already been determined.
Referring back to your early thoughts about the purpose of your project, you also
need to carefully consider the motivation and intention of this design. Specifically,
what functional experience are you trying to create for your audience: is it an
exploratory, explanatory, or maybe a combined design?
Remember, just because you can create interactivity doesn't always mean it enhances
the user experience of engaging with data visualization. Don't compromise the
essence of your visual communication by abandoning a static design just for the
novelty of creating interactivity.
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