Most of us are used to making figures that are meant to be read, not explored – plots designed for PDFs and journal pages. Interactive graphics open up new possibilities by letting viewers zoom in, filter, and engage with data in ways static figures cannot. In this session, we’ll explore what makes a visualization interactive, when it’s worth using, and how simple interactions can add insight. We’ll look at a few short examples using tools such as DataTables, Plotly, and Shiny. You will leave with practical tips on creating, sharing, and sustaining interactive graphics.

No prior experience with interactive visualization is required.

Note: This session is part of Data to Discovery, a biweekly virtual series hosted by the UCSB Library. This series highlights practical tools and core principles for working with data and engaging in open science. Each 30-minute session is designed to be concise, focused, and practical.

Speaker(s): Xiuqi “Jade” Li, Julien Brun