Data visualization art is a broad term that refers to images and videos that are intended to visually convey data, usually quantitative data, in a pleasing way. The most prominent form of this art is a series of stylized charts and graphs on the same subject. Data visualization art that is interactive, stylized charts and graphs that update in real time, and artistic videos that display data in an aesthetically pleasing manner are also popular. The accuracy of data presented in such artwork varies greatly. Some provide precise quantitative data, while others only provide relative magnitudes without providing precise numbers.
Data visualization art’s main appeal stems from its ability to present often-complex quantitative data in a clear, understandable, and engaging artistic form. As a result, many people use such art to disseminate information about issues they care about, such as government spending or scientific findings. In the field of visual design, data visualization art is quite common, and many designers create it for practice, amusement, or as work for a company or individual. Depending on the artist’s motivations, artistic data visualization may place a greater emphasis on the data itself or the data’s presentation. Some artists have mastered the art of combining the two without detracting from either.
There are a few types of data visualization art that are particularly popular. Many are designed to show how something changes over time and include a timeline as the primary organizing feature. The timeline can be used as one of the graph’s axes or to organize a collection of graphs and charts. Other common types of data visualization art are used to compare different magnitudes, such as the size of stars or the amount of money spent on various projects by the government. These frequently work by displaying icons or images of varying sizes or quantities in relation to the magnitude differences being displayed.
Though data visualization art is not a new art form, its popularity has risen dramatically as a result of the Internet and the increased popularity of computerized design tools. The Internet is a widely available medium for the dissemination of information, but due to the vast amount of information available, people are unlikely to read or study something that does not stand out in some way, such as a simple black-and-white graph with simple text. Data visualization art is a powerful tool for drawing attention to a specific set of data by making the relevant data stand out among a sea of other data.