Bigger than big data: big data design

It’s nearly impossible to deny that data has become one of the basic currencies of modern life. Whenever we send a tweet, shop online or check the latest sports scores, we are engaged in the constant interplay of data, transmitting and receiving countless packets of digital information. What’s more, the amount of data produced by each individual is increasing exponentially year over year.

Data-driven systems, too, are integrating themselves into our own existences. Self-driving cars, home automation, and wearable devices are just a few of the disruptive technologies that are poised to make fundamental changes to our way of life moving forward.

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Yet despite this amazing growth in the amount and types of data collected, this information is meaningless without interpretation and representation. When divorced from its context, data is nothing more than a sea of numbers. From predicting next month’s sales to deciding where to invest in billboards, data that is synthesized and visually represented is essential. Only then can individuals understand patterns, identify trends, and make evidence-based decisions.

When it comes to bridging the gap between data and interpretation, a strong visual platform is the key. And here’s where designers come in. They control the user interface (UI), the way in which the user interacts with each part of the platform, and the user experience (UX), the overall experience of using the platform.

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For the UI & UX team here at Flybits, giving customers an aesthetically pleasing way to visualize data just scratches the surface. Our visual interface, Experience Studio, allows customers to perform a very wide range of actions, from connecting sources of proprietary data to our system, to creating and delivering targeted content to customers.

Ultimately, as a designer, it’s essential to keep the end user at the forefront. Developing a product or technology isn’t just about adding features and fixing bugs; it’s about making sure that users have a pleasant and intuitive experience. And as we continue to innovate, these features will only continue to grow. Providing this “all-in-one” is a big challenge!

This new age of business intelligence and analytics won’t just be driven by the data scientists who collect the data and crunch the numbers. Rather, UI and UX designers will have their own role, no less important, to play.

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