OVERVIEW
What is a Data Visualization Designer?
Data visualization is the process of translating data sets into illustrative representations so that the information can be more accessible and understandable to a wide array of audiences. Data visualization designers demystify complex data and help organizations make informed decisions about budgeting, inventory management, operations, marketing, and other crucial concerns. Data visualization designers can work in information technology, finance, marketing, healthcare, education, journalism, and many other fields.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Data Visualization Designer Do?
Data visualization designers’ day-to-day tasks can vary depending on their industry and the organization’s goals. But many data visualization designers share common responsibilities, including:
- Understanding the organization’s needs. To build effective, useful visual aids, data visualization designers must identify and fully understand their organization’s short- and long-term objectives.
Collaborating with data analysts. Data visualization designers work in partnership with data scientists, data analysts, and other professionals to gather, organize, interpret, and visualize raw data.
Designing and creating visualizations. Data visualization designers create charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual elements to represent and summarize intricate data in an appealing, easy-to-understand way.
Utilizing digital tools and software. Using software like Tableau, Power BI, or Microsoft Excel, data visualization designers create dynamic, interactive visualizations that bring data to life.
Ensuring the accuracy of the data representations. Designers must ensure that the visual aids accurately reflect the data and convey the intended message.
Adjusting visual representations based on feedback. Effective data visualization is a collaborative process, and designers may need to fine-tune their visual assets based on feedback from clients, employers, or other stakeholders.
Addressing accessibility concerns. Data visualization designers use various tools and techniques to create visualizations that are accessible to those with disabilities such as color blindness or vision impairment. Text summaries, zoom capabilities, and high-contrast color schemes are just some of the tools that designers can use to improve inclusivity.
Maintaining a consistent visual style. Standardization across design elements improves comprehension and reinforces a company’s brand.
Staying updated on design trends. Data visualization designers capture the viewer’s attention by creating attractive visual elements that incorporate relevant design trends.
Where Do Data Visualization Designers Work?
Data visualization designers can work in many different industries, including:
- Technology companies
- Retail companies
- Healthcare organizations
- Financial institutions
- Marketing agencies
- News outlets
- Educational institutions
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Data Visualization Designer?
College courses increase your industry knowledge, expand your relevant skill set, and improve your credibility with employers. WGU’s B.S. in Data Analytics program provides foundational knowledge in data science, statistical analysis, visualization, management, and other key domains to prepare you for a career in data visualization design. Our M.S. in Data Analytics program delves deeper into data science and includes courses on data mining, machine learning, data management, database applications, and more.
Best Degrees for a Data Visualization Designer
Technology
Data Analytics – B.S.
Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:...
Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,835 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- CompTIA Data+
- CompTIA Project+
- Udacity Nanodegree—a unique, highly recognized credential designed to prepare you for a career in data science
- MSI Change Management (Optional Certification)
- Certiprof Design Thinking Professional Certificate (Optional Certification)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data management
- Data wrangling
- Statistical analysis
- Visualization
- Leadership and management
- Model deployment & storytelling
Technology
Data Analytics – M.S.
Lead businesses with strong analysis skills:...
Lead businesses with strong analysis skills:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 20 months.
- Tuition: $4,520 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program consists of three specialization areas which allow you to gain specific experience and skills that will benefit your future career. You can choose from data science, data engineering, and decision process engineering specializations to enhance your degree.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data Modeling
- Big Data
- Business Intelligence
- Data Quality
- SQL
- Python
Business
User Experience Design – B.S.
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become...
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become business-savvy designers that can generate best-in-class, customer-centric products and services.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Artificial Intelligence
- Accessible Design
- Figma Design Software
- UI/UX Research
- User Testing
- Adobe Express
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a Data Visualization Designer Make?
$89,791
The salary you can expect to earn as a data visualization designer depends on your industry knowledge and experience, work history, and the number of years you’ve been in the position. The median salary for data visualization designers in the U.S. is approximately $89,791 per year. Salaries tend to be higher in technology hubs and major cities.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
35%
Professionals in the data science field are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of data scientists is expected to grow by 35% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average growth rate for all professions.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Data Visualization Designer Need?
Data visualization designers transform ambiguous information into visually appealing graphics with a variety of practical applications. Some of the skills needed to succeed in this position include:
Creativity. Data visualization designers craft unique and engaging visual representations that appeal to a wide variety of audiences.
Visual design skills. Data visualization designers can be thought of as data artists. They use typography, photography, graphs, illustrations, and other visual elements to present data in engaging, appealing formats.
Technical proficiency. Fluency in data visualization software such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik Sense, Klipfolio, and Microsoft Excel gives data visualization designers a significant advantage.
Data analysis skills. Data visualization designers must know how to interpret and analyze complex data to create accurate visual depictions of the information.
Communication skills. Data visualization designers collaborate with data experts, team members, and other stakeholders to create visualizations that align with a business’s goals.
Critical thinking. Data visualization designers must evaluate data sets and determine the best way to represent essential information so that their audience can understand it.
Time management. Data visualization designers juggle many different projects simultaneously, so effective time management is crucial.
Storytelling. A narrative structure adds richness and intelligibility to data visuals, making them easier to understand and more enjoyable for the audience.
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