Data Visualization Critique

Example 1: UK Temperature Data

Statistic: Monthly average daily temperatures in the United Kingdom (UK) from January 2015 to November 2024 (in degrees Celsius) | Statista
Source: Statista

What - Why - How Analysis

What (Data)

The dataset represents monthly average daily temperatures in the United Kingdom (UK) from January 2015 to November 2024.

Why (Task)

The primary objective is to analyze long-term temperature trends and seasonal variations in the UK.

How (Idiom)

Line chart to effectively display trends over time

Cyclic color scale to distinguish years while maintaining consistency

Min-Max range shading to highlight variability and extreme values

Heatmap to compactly visualize seasonal patterns across multiple years

Optimized Temperature Visualization

1. Monthly Temperature Trends Visualization

Line chart using a cyclic color scale to highlight monthly temperature trends.
Source: Carionb

2. Global Warming Trends Visualization

Gradient temperature chart showing long-term warming trends and anomalies.

Example 2: Tableau Dashboard Design

Poor Dashboard Design
Source: Lovelytics

What - Why - How Analysis

What (Data)

Superstore sales data, including sales, profits, customer types, and year-over-year comparisons.

Why (Task)

Provide actionable insights for performance optimization.

How (Idiom)

Decluttered dashboard with a structured layout for better readability

Direct labeling on charts to reduce reliance on separate legends

Color-coded highlights to emphasize key insights without overwhelming the viewer

Consistent fonts, spacing, and alignment to create a professional, easy-to-read interface

Improved Dashboard Design

Improved Dashboard
Source: Lovelytics