Description
What happens before the first chart or encoding? In data visualization practice, some of the most important design work is also the least visible: figuring out what the real problem is. This talk draws on a multi-phase study with professional visualization practitioners to explore how they frame problems before anything is visualized. Rather than simply responding to briefs or requests, designers clarify goals, surface hidden needs, and redefine what success means. These early decisions often shape the entire project but rarely appear in formal methods or models. I will discuss how framing emerges through conversation, constraint, and negotiation. I’ll highlight common patterns practitioners face — from vague prompts to shifting priorities — and invite reflection on the quiet decisions that shape visualization success.
