One of the purposes of visualization is to capture the viewer’s attention and make information easier to understand. A particular moment in my professor’s video caught my eye. At the 8:31 mark, a noir-style black-and-white portrait suddenly appeared on the screen alongside the word “NOIR!” I was actually listening to the lecture rather than watching it closely when this unexpected combination of image and word caught my attention.

But does an image that catches our attention always help us understand the information?

The lesson showed that good visualization is not only about attracting attention. It is also about presenting information clearly. The design principles included choosing the right type of chart, using color carefully, keeping things simple, and avoiding unnecessary decoration, or “chartjunk.”

Another interesting part of the lesson was the discussion about how websites and digital tools are designed. Their design can influence what we notice, what questions we ask, and how we understand information. This reminded me that visualization is not always neutral.

I also learned about WAVE, a useful tool for checking website accessibility.

I tested my own WordPress blog and found some problems I had not noticed before, including issues with the headings. This helped me realize that a good website should not only look attractive but also be easy for everyone to use, including people with visual impairments or those who use screen readers.

What I learned from this lesson is that good visualization should do three things: attract attention, communicate information clearly, and make it accessible to everyone.