FlowingData.com Data Visualization Set (Paperback)

Visualize This is a guide on how to visualize and tell stories with data, providing practical design tips complemented with step-by-step tutorials. It begins with a description of the huge growth of data and visualization in industry, news, and gov't and opportunities for those who tell stories with data. Logically it moves on to actual stories in data-statistical ones with trends and human stories. the technical part comes up quickly with how to gather, parse and format data with Python, R, Excel, Google docs, etc and details tools to visualize data-native graphics for the Web like ActionScript, Flash libraries, PHP, JavaScript, CSS, HTML. Every chapter provides an example as well. Patterns over time and kinds of data charts are followed by proportions, chart types and examples. Next, examples and descriptions of outliers and how to show them, different kinds of maps, how to guide your readers and explain the data "in the visualization". The book ends with a value-add appendix on graphical perception.

Data Points focuses on the approach to visualization and data. Visualization is a medium that can be used as a tool, art, a way to tell stories, etc., Data Points guides readers through making data approachable through visualization techniques and best practices. The focus is on designing with a purpose in mind. Data Points discusses why recipes (from the rules) work and expands on how readers can make their own recipes. The book is example-driven, featuring work from people in areas of art, design, business, statistics, computer science, cartography, and online media, as well as many of the author's own illustrations. The major sections of the book cover:

• Visualization as Medium -- In the same way not all movies are documentaries, not all visualization is about optimal visual perception.
•  Data Representation -- There are rules across all visualization applications, such as the use of appropriate shapes to accurately represent values.
• Design with Purpose -- Rules can be broken though. It all depends on who and what you're designing for.

Data Points digs deep into the foundations of data visualization:

• Understanding Data and Visualization
• Representing Data
• Exploring Data Visually
• Designing for an Audience
• Visualizing with Clarity
• Putting Everything Into Practice with Tools and Resources

「Visualize This」是一本關於如何使用數據進行視覺化和故事講述的指南，提供實用的設計技巧和逐步教程。它首先描述了數據和視覺化在工業、新聞和政府中的巨大增長，以及那些用數據講故事的人的機會。接著，它從實際的數據故事開始，包括趨勢和人物故事。然後，它迅速介紹了如何使用Python、R、Excel、Google文檔等工具來收集、解析和格式化數據，並詳細介紹了用於Web的數據視覺化工具，如ActionScript、Flash庫、PHP、JavaScript、CSS和HTML。每一章都提供了一個例子。時間模式和各種數據圖表的比例、圖表類型和例子。接下來，介紹了異常值及其展示方法、不同類型的地圖、如何引導讀者並解釋數據在視覺化中的意義。書的最後附錄提供了關於圖形感知的附加價值。

「Data Points」專注於數據視覺化和數據的方法。視覺化是一種可以用作工具、藝術、講故事方式等的媒介，《Data Points》通過視覺化技術和最佳實踐指導讀者使數據易於理解。重點是有目的地進行設計。《Data Points》討論了為什麼規則（從規則中獲得的結果）有效，並介紹了讀者如何制定自己的規則。這本書以實例為驅動，展示了藝術、設計、商業、統計學、計算機科學、地圖製作和在線媒體等領域的人們的作品，以及作者自己的插圖。書的主要部分包括：

- 視覺化作為媒介 - 就像不是所有電影都是紀錄片一樣，不是所有的視覺化都是為了最佳視覺感知。
- 數據表示 - 所有視覺化應用都有一些規則，例如使用適當的形狀準確地表示數值。
- 有目的地進行設計 - 規則可以打破，這取決於你為誰和為什麼進行設計。

「Data Points」深入探討了數據視覺化的基礎：

- 理解數據和視覺化
- 表示數據
- 通過視覺方式探索數據
- 為觀眾進行設計
- 清晰地進行視覺化
- 使用工具和資源將一切付諸實踐