Process for Visualizing Data

From Visualizing Data by Ben Fry

Acquire
Obtain the data, whether from a file on a disk or a source over a network.

Parse
Provide some structure for the data’s meaning, and order it into categories.

Filter
Remove all but the data of interest.

Mine
Apply methods from statics or data minining as a way to discern patterns or place the data in mathermatical contxt.

Represent
Choose a basic visual model, such as bar graph, list or tree

Refine
Improve the basic representation to make it clearer and more visually engaing

Interact
Add methods for manipulating the data or controlling what features are visible.