A post about Data Visualisation – It was only a matter of time…

Data Visualisation (I will use an s and not a z…the US spelling) is a buzzword that has been flying around for quite some time now, there are numerous articles on the web, which discuss really good examples of designers getting creative with basically scrapping data and presenting it in really cool ways.

I was yet to see an example of a “data visualisation” concept that was really useful as well as being really good to look at.

I have a tendency to question the usefulness of concepts when they are first introduced to the online community, this is primarily because clients think in the same way. The first thing a client does is pose an objection or question…how useful is this? Will people use it? What are the benefits?

Virgin have done really well with the Virgin eye, however, unless you’re really into Virgin as a brand what value does this concept really provide to a mass target audience? Some may argue that prospects ready to buy a product or service from Virgin may use the service to see what other people are saying about the brand or its products, however, I feel this may only apply to a minority.

Something as grand and luxurious as a “Data Visualisation” concept should provide a value exchange for a broader audience as the concept itself depicts how forward thinking a brand really is.

MSNBC and their digital agency, whoever they are, have really hit the nail on the head with Spectra. Spectra is an RSS news-reader with really cool data visualisation, in addition to good aesthetics Spectra really provides functionality that people will keep coming back to use over and over again.