Category: Compositional Weight

The Power of Visual Communication: Unlocking Meaningful Data Visualisation

Post author By Matthias
Post date 03/08/2023
No Comments on The Power of Visual Communication: Unlocking Meaningful Data Visualisation

Those who master the visual language can create much more efficient data visualisations and information dashboards. Since our visual perception is primarily cultural, even universal to a certain extent, well-expressed dashboards are much easier to understand. Without thinking much, we understand much of the visual grammar and vocabulary here just like that.

Mini-Series: Let’s learn from Communication Theory

Uncover the hidden power of communication theories on information dashboard design and data analytics in this Mini-Series.

In data visualisation and dashboard development, visual communication plays a pivotal role in conveying complex information effectively. Just like a language has its own vocabulary and grammar, visual communication relies on a profound knowledge of visual elements and their arrangement. This post explores why understanding visual vocabulary and grammar is essential for creating meaningful data visualisations that facilitate information exchange and foster understanding.

Compositional Weight Design

Why heavily coloured backgrounds waste time

Post author By Matthias
Post date 08/02/2021
2 Comments on Why heavily coloured backgrounds waste time

Coloured backgrounds on information dashboards might look interesting but they waste users and developers time

There is something I observe quite often in information dashboard design. It is the use of dark backgrounds or highly saturated colour backgrounds for menus. The intention is clear. The designer wants to make content or the dashboard as a whole pop out. Therefore she or he puts a lot of compositional weight on the background or the background of the element which should pop out. While it does not look bad, there are three good reasons why you should avoid dark backgrounds in information design.

Tags coloured backgrounds

Compositional Weight

Compositional weight and how it makes colour practically needless

Post author By Matthias
Post date 28/07/2020
No Comments on Compositional weight and how it makes colour practically needless

Compositional weight is more contrast for more importance, less contrast for information that users should not focus on. Your eyes get automatically drawn to where they should.

In data visualisation, there are many blog posts about colour. It is something very mighty if it is used correctly. Poorly applied colour can ruin the best dashboard. So, what if there was an alternative which is universally understandable?