10
OPINION
Embracing data democratization
As data proliferates at an exponential rate, firms are increasingly recognizing the importance of leveraging data to enhance decision-making and creative processes.
T he growth of technology has created a significant increase in data, sparking a heightened interest in data-informed decisions within fields like architecture and design, where there hasn’t traditionally been an emphasis. Data is crucial for decision-making in any industry, yet its potential remains untapped if only a limited number of people know how to access and interpret the information. To address this, data democratization has emerged as a leading global trend in the data industry.
Emily Gaines
So, what exactly is data democratization? This initiative aims to ensure that everyone can access and utilize data to make informed decisions. It involves two primary aspects: 1. Increasing access to data. 2. Enhancing data literacy. Both of these elements have a unique application to architects and designers. THE JUXTAPOSITION OF DATA AND DESIGN. In an industry predominantly oriented toward visual thinking and creativity, the concept of data analysis might not seem applicable. During a presentation where data is displayed traditionally as a table, designers will
likely find their minds wandering unintentionally since numbers aren’t as intuitive to them as visual elements. Design and data often speak different languages and don’t easily talk to one another. However, the results can be profoundly impactful when successfully integrated – design influencing data visualizations and data informing design decisions. Figures 1 and 2 on page 11 show a comparison of the same information: one version uses numerical data in a table, and the other presents it visually. INCREASING ACCESS THROUGH VISUALIZATION. Increasing access to data in the design world often relies heavily on data visualizations. Translating data into a visual representation helps dismantle the
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THE ZWEIG LETTER OCTOBER 7, 2024, ISSUE 1556
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