The realm of data visualization is rich with terms and concepts that help professionals convey complex information through concise, engaging graphics. This comprehensive chart glossary aims to give data visualization enthusiasts a thorough understanding of the vocabulary that powers the art and science of visual storytelling.
### Visual Data Vocabulary
**Aesthetic:** Relating to the aspects of an object or work of art that produce a feeling of beauty, pleasure, or harmony.
**Axes (Cartesian Coordinates):** The two or more lines that intersect at right angles to form a system for graphically locating points, typically labeled the x-axis and y-axis in a two-dimensional space.
**Bar Chart:** A chart in which the data are represented by bars or rectangles with respective heights or lengths proportional to the values they represent.
**Bubble Chart:** A type of chart that uses bubbles to represent values. The size of the bubble usually denotes a third quantitative measure.
**Categorical Data:** Data that is divided into mutually exclusive categories, such as types, classes, or groupings.
**Color Palette:** A set of colors coordinated to work well together and visually convey the message of the data visualization.
**Density Map:** A type of map that uses symbols to convey the density of points within an area.
**(E)Charts:** An interactive charting library for Websites using JavaScript. Originally developed by Baidu, it has since been spun off as an independent project.
**Engagement:** The level of interest or involvement a user exhibits in a particular visualization.
**Faceted Data Filtering:** An interactive way to filter information, which can allow users to explore and navigate through complex datasets by selecting and filtering different attributes.
**Figma:** A collaborative interface design tool that also includes features for data visualization.
**Geospatial Data:** Data that can be represented on a map, representing geographic locations.
**Histogram:** A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data is an estimate of the probability distribution of a continuous variable.
**Infovis (Information Visualization):** The design and development of the computational algorithms and systems to render abstract data into visual form.
**Infographics:** Visual representations of information intended to be easy to read and understand, and are often found in web pages, brochures, and annual reports.
**KPI (Key Performance Indicator):** A metric that is used to evaluate the effectiveness and success of an organization or project.
**Line Graph:** A two-dimensional chart featuring lines that represent the relationship between two variables.
**Map Projection:** A method to represent the spherical surface of the Earth or other round structures (such as planets and celestial bodies) on a flat piece of paper or digital canvas.
**Matrix Chart:** A type of visualization that uses two orthogonal scales and a two-color scheme to represent two-dimensional data.
**Normalization:** The process of removing the effects of different scales so that comparisons can be made.
**Ouch Map:** A type of plot showing the distribution and concentration of negative events or occurrences.
**Pareto Chart:** Also known as a “priority chart,” this type of chart is used to visually represent the 80/20 principle, in which approximately 80% of the value comes from 20% of the causes.
**Point Plot or Scatter Plot:** A type of plot that displays the relationship between two variables.
**Quantitative Data:** Data that can be measured numerically, enabling the use of mathematical operations, such as addition and averaging.
**Radiation Pattern:** A chart used in the analysis of communication systems that shows the field strength or power density of the signal distribution in all directions.
**Sankey Diagram:** A flow diagram used to visualize the relative sizes of inputs and outputs in a system.
**Shape Grammar:** Rules used to generate shapes and patterns that can be applied to data points in a visualization to represent their properties.
**Time Series:** A set of data points indexed or listed in order of time, typically used to plot trends.
**Treemap:** A way of visualizing hierarchical data as a set of nested rectangles.
**Venn Diagram:** A diagram that shows all possible logical relations between a finite collection of sets.
### The Language of Data Visualization
Understanding the terminology of data visualization is not only crucial for developers and designers but also valuable for anyone using such graphs and charts. When data is communicated visually, the right terms can bridge the gap between the data and the audience, helping everyone to interpret and appreciate the insights visualized information can offer. This glossary serves as a foundational resource for anyone looking to develop a stronger vocabulary within the realm of visual data representation. With this arsenal of terms, practitioners and enthusiasts alike can navigate the complex landscape of information visualization and better tell the stories hidden in numbers.