Have you considered the visual literacy of your target audience, especially if you want to reach groups other than experts?
Viewers with less experience in reading data visualizations may struggle when charts are too complex or demand high levels of statistical understanding. Considering different levels of visual literacy can help make information clearer and more likely to be understood by broader audience groups.
Have you considered the topic familiarity of your target audience?
Avoid assuming topic familiarity, since not all viewers share the same background knowledge. If a visualization assumes prior familiarity, such as with geography or domain-specific terms, some viewers may feel excluded or misinterpret the content. Clear labels and explanations can help prevent confusion.
Have you tailored content when you have knowledge of the audience’s needs or preferences?
Audience backgrounds, including demographic factors and cultural influences, shape how information is read or perceived. Being mindful of potential differences in interpretation, such as reading direction or color meaning, can help ensure that a visualization is understandable for different audience groups.
Have you provided clear explanations for concepts that may be less known (e.g., uncertainty ranges)?
If specific terms or concepts, such as uncertainty ranges, may be unfamiliar to some viewers, consider explaining them in surrounding text. This maintains clarity without overloading the visual, especially when the concept is not central to understanding.
Reseach Group Visualization & Data Analysis
University of Vienna
Sensengasse 6, 1090 Vienna