Last updated on 2024年8月24日

How do you use shapes, icons, and symbols to enhance your data visualization hierarchy and contrast?

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Data visualization is a powerful way to communicate complex information, but it can also be overwhelming or confusing if not designed well. One of the key aspects of effective data visualization is creating a clear hierarchy and contrast among the different elements, such as data points, labels, legends, and annotations. In this article, you will learn how to use shapes, icons, and symbols to enhance your data visualization hierarchy and contrast, and make your charts and graphs more engaging and informative.

本文章的要点总结

Create visual coherence:

Consistency in shapes, icons, and symbols forms a unified design, making complex data easier to digest and understand.
Incorporate brand elements:

Aligning your data visualization with your company's branding can boost recognition and convey information effectively.

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1 Shapes for grouping and differentiation

Shapes are basic geometric forms that can help you group and differentiate data points based on certain attributes or categories. For example, you can use circles, squares, triangles, and stars to represent different regions, products, or segments in a scatter plot or a bubble chart. Shapes can also create visual interest and variety, as long as they are consistent and easy to identify. To avoid clutter and confusion, limit the number of shapes you use and make sure they are large enough to be seen clearly.

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Harika Bommu

Designer in Healthcare
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In my experience limit shapes to seven, as that is the number of objects an average person can hold in working memory (Miller's Law)

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Junaid Ahmed ??

Transform Your Content with a Pro Home Studio
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In my experience using the simplest shapes has created the most compelling results. Create a hierarchy using one set of shapes and then add another set of shapes to create additional layers and mode of conduct. For example, I’ll use rounded rectangles with arrows to show connected roles and then add stars to show the key role in the hierarchy. It’s easy to create a pleasing layout when we keep it simple.

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Valiullah Hashmi

I use design as a vehicle to help transform and empower the lives of people all around the world.
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1. I use the principle of contrast to create a layout. Determine where you want the user to focus first, and keep everything black and white initially. 2. I maintain consistent form language. For a softer feel, use rounded shapes, matching icon styles, and typography. For a sharper feel, opt for angles and straight lines. 3. I add icons to highlight important content or better communicate data points. 4. I share my design (printed or digital) to see if others can easily digest it—this is my litmus test. 5. Finally, I apply color according to design principles and repeat step 4.

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2 Icons for recognition and association

Icons are simplified pictorial representations of objects, concepts, or actions that can help you convey meaning and context in your data visualization. For example, you can use icons to illustrate the topic or theme of your data, such as a car for transportation, a book for education, or a heart for health. Icons can also help you associate data points with specific entities or locations, such as a flag for a country, a logo for a brand, or a landmark for a city. Icons can make your data visualization more appealing and memorable, but they should be relevant and recognizable. To avoid ambiguity and distraction, choose icons that are simple, consistent, and aligned with your data and audience.

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3 Symbols for emphasis and annotation

Symbols are abstract or conventional signs that can help you emphasize and annotate important or interesting aspects of your data visualization. For example, you can use symbols to highlight outliers, trends, or patterns in your data, such as arrows, lines, dots, or asterisks. Symbols can also help you add explanatory or supplementary information to your data visualization, such as numbers, letters, words, or equations. Symbols can enhance your data visualization by drawing attention and providing context, but they should be used sparingly and strategically. To avoid overload and misinterpretation, use symbols that are clear, relevant, and consistent with your data and message.

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4 How to combine shapes, icons, and symbols

Shapes, icons, and symbols can be combined in various ways to create more effective and expressive data visualizations. However, it’s important to consider the purpose, audience, and format of your data visualization, as well as follow principles of visual design like balance, alignment, contrast, and repetition. When combining shapes, icons, and symbols, use shapes as the primary element to group and differentiate data points, and use icons and symbols as secondary or tertiary elements to add meaning and context. Additionally, ensure the icons and symbols match or complement the shapes used; too many different or conflicting elements can create confusion or noise. Contrast should be used to create hierarchy and focus among the elements used. Repetition should be employed to create consistency and harmony among the shapes, icons, and symbols used.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ankita Kashyap

Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design?Lead Designer at SecureW2?UX/UI Design ?Graphic Design?Motion Graphic Design
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It is most important to Maintain consistency in the styling of shapes, icons, and symbols throughout the visualization to create a cohesive and unified design. Ensure that the chosen elements align with the overall theme and style of the data visualization, contributing to a visually appealing and coherent presentation of the data.

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Emily Rossetta ??

Innovative Visual Design Leader | Follow for insights about Quiet Leadership, Innovative Design & Brand, and Minimalism | Founder
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To enhance your Data Visualization - hierarchy + contrast using shapes, icons, and symbols, it's helpful to think strategically about the following: - Consider the overarching visual design approach and how to best align it with the company and their goals. - Ensure that all aspects of your design are universally consistent with the company's brand (colors, fonts, accessibility, balance of white space, imagery, iconography, etc.). Ultimately, it's helpful to transform these components into a design system. - Look into current design trends and any feedback provided to optimize your design. Remember, the main purpose is to create a clear visual representation of the data. The visual/UI design accompanies and elevates this purpose. :)

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How do you use shapes, icons, and symbols to enhance your data visualization hierarchy and contrast?

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1 Shapes for grouping and differentiation

2 Icons for recognition and association

3 Symbols for emphasis and annotation

4 How to combine shapes, icons, and symbols

5 Here’s what else to consider

Visual Design

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