From Data to Graphic: How to Create Effective Data Visualizations

My story centres around apathy towards the Ryerson Students’ Union, including polling how many Ryerson students have voted in past RSU elections. In creating the two visualization graphics, I aimed to portray this information to the public as more visually appealing and easier to understand hence the use of simple and minimal colours and precise information on the graphs.

This visualization graphic is a pie chart showing the poll results for the 2020 mega poll when Ryerson students were asked if they had voted in past RSU elections. (DeAndra Asapokhai/ Ryerson School of Journalism)

This visualization graphic is a bar graph that compares the 2019 and 2020 mega poll results when Ryerson students were asked if they had voted in past RSU elections. (DeAndra Asapokhai/ Ryerson School of Journalism)

In summary, visualization graphics make it easier and quicker to understand information, especially if designed well. They could also be used to compare information straightforwardly.