Color in Data Visualization

In Episode #19: Color of Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, and Information Design - Lesson and Listen Series, insights on color in data visualization are shared, featuring Rob Simmon, a senior data visualization engineer at Planet Labs, known for creating "Blue Marble 2012", the famous image of the western hemisphere used as the default iPhone wallpaper in 2007.

Courtesy: NASA

During his time at NASA's Earth Sciences division, his role was to turn satellite data into pictures that were both usable and in an understandable form.

Episode Highlights -

- Color is a complex and challenging aspect of data visualization, but it can be mastered with patience and practice.

- Use as little color as possible to avoid distraction. Focus on one data point or cluster and use color to draw attention to it. Often, it's better to use shades of gray and highlight key data points with color.

- Stick to your brand colors, as they are likely a well-researched and effective combination.

- Utilize color tools like Adobe Color or iWantHue to choose beautiful color palettes that are visually appealing and effective for data visualization.

- Don't rely on chart creation software to choose colors for you.

- Keep color blindness in mind and use colorblind-friendly palettes like ColorBrewer, and simulators to ensure accessibility.

- Color is an artifact of our brains and varies based on environment and individual perception.

- There are two main uses of color in visualization: as a design element to direct attention and to denote quantity.

- For quantitative data, ensure colors accurately represent differences and proportionality.

- Balance audience expectations with learned experiences to create effective visualizations.

- Color perception is influenced by many factors, including lighting, the medium, and even individual brain processing. It’s subjective and can vary from person to person.

- In satellite imagery, it's important to balance realistic expectations (e.g., trees being green) with the need to convey scientific data accurately.

- Continuous gradients are useful for showing patterns and relationships, while threshold scales are better when precise distinctions are critical.

- Colors found in nature, like shades of green, blue, or brown, often create harmonious palettes that are pleasing to the eye.