From computer games to executive screens – five characteristics of a winning dashboard

In recent years, we have been increasingly exposed to a refreshing, correct and friendly user experience in the digital world. The highlight of the field of information engineering is the world of dashboards, which is gaining momentum and is known as a real specialty.

We all grew up in a world of computer games that began even earlier in the arcades that conquered the world.
We were addicted to the movement of the needle when we played car races and to the bar that marked the time remaining until the end of the game. The signs were understandable to us even if it was a new game and even then, without really being great experts, we were able to receive critical information on several fronts simultaneously through relatively simple infographics.

Today, in worlds where data changes every few seconds, it is important for us to be exposed to as much data as possible in real time. Organizations have come to understand that in order for their managers to control data, they need to develop convenient dashboards that will reflect a real-time picture. Service provider companies such as insurance companies/banks/communications and others know that when a representative answers a call, it is of great significance to correctly and quickly expose all the customer data in real time on one screen.

If in the past we had to jump between different systems to receive this and that data, today, with the use of a smart dashboard, we save time and see everything on one screen.

Credit: adobe stock

So what makes a dashboardSuccessful?

Choosing the right infographic tool to present the database
There are many ways to present a certain data. Pie chart? Dial? Bar graph? Choosing the right one is significant for understanding the information and reading changes in real time.

Meaningful color
Yes, yes, color is very significant in the world of information architecture. How do we create prominence for a data item based on the color chosen to display it? And how do the color combinations we have chosen make it easier or more difficult for the user? These are just some of the questions relevant to the process. Certain colors have universal meaning. Choosing green, for example, symbolizes a normal state, while red warns of a problem/danger. If we want to convey information about quantity, we can do this, among other things, by using different shades of the same color. In addition, companies prefer and in some cases even require the use of their brand colors, and this is also quite a challenge when looking at the full picture.

Credit: MATIRAL DESIGN

Information hierarchy
The location and size of the various data is of great significance.
Data of great importance will be placed on the upper left side of the screen and over a larger area compared to data that requires scrolling or is located in the center.

A good dashboard will contain as little text as possible. The data will be conveyed using titles that are as short as possible. If extensive explanations are required, the data will not be conveyed correctly to the user. The text display also requires a structured hierarchy of font weights and sizes. Detailed explanations can be seen in an excellent way at the link.

https://material.io/design/communication/data-visualization.html#style

Iconization
The use of icons and agreed-upon symbols constitutes shortcuts for conveying written information and of course softens the user experience and maintains an interesting and contemporary design.

Proper development of a dashboard will require accurate characterization and identification of needs, as well as an examination of all the components specified here. All of these will ultimately create a better user experience that is worth the time, resources, and money in the business world.