This article is the first article of Jianhao. I’m sorry. I just want to write something. I also hope to write more thoughts and ideas in the future. I hope I can meet someone with the same thought frequency!

Do the front end of data products, we must first think of data visualization.

Yes, I’ve always been on the front line of data visualization. But suddenly one day I don’t think so, I think I should be an engineer.

Doing the front end itself limits itself to a specific domain, the data visualization of the front end is a specific domain within a specific domain, so it’s hard to see the overall picture. Of course, being expert in a field is the most likely way to become an expert. However, I am not a technophilic, and my thinking is a little jumpy, always thinking about the relevance of their respective problems, and how to solve these problems.

Yeah, that’s what you want to do! And what technology to use is only one of the means, is the process. We have a number of solutions to what we need to do to accomplish this goal. For example: write a page. So I finished the task as a front-end role, and I was also good at this task, able to work happily with others.

Unfortunately, I was completely fooled by big data and AI concepts. So I went deep into the pit. In addition to games, I think data products are the only system projects that can reach my heart. As a front-end, I draw charts every day, and then I become a front-end of data visualization.

But the data product itself is also a product, a business project. It has its own characteristics on the basis of front-end engineering. Just like mobile products. It’s just front-end engineering with its own personality. Therefore, I think it is necessary to look at the front-end development of data products beyond the identity of data visualization development. Like mobile developers, it is an area to be explored, an important branch of the big front end direction, and mid-back end systems, which need a solution. In terms of product design and user experience mode, it is quite different from other products. What it brings is the consumption and use of data by users.

By going further, I mean that I want to summarize a comprehensive solution of data products by thinking here.

Usually for different types of data product pages, as the front end will choose different solutions. So I’m used to categorizing data products into the following types.

  1. Data big screen: Data big screen, common exhibition data wall, monitoring data, product home page. These are pages built with diagrams. It is characterized by beautiful special effects, display indicators are mostly vanity indicators and their function is usually to boost morale. Therefore, the design concept should also be uplifting, using special effects, adding eggs and other means to enhance the user experience.
  2. Dashboards: Much like the big screen, they are charts stacked with key metrics. The main difference is that Dashboar’s primary function is multi-dimensional data display and data values. So, Dashboard is designed to have as much space as possible for data. Simplicity and clarity are the design principles of Dashboard. The most confusing thing here is the monitor screen, where the monitor is a functional indicator and the chart page is refreshed in real time. The key to distinguishing design principles is whether the user, if there is a problem, can use the page to locate the problem. If you want to do that, then follow the Dashboard design and shift the focus to the direct relationship and value of data. Otherwise it’s as cool as it gets. Yeah! It’s also a vanity indicator, and what we get from the big screen are security and problem cues.
  3. Data Query panel: The most common form of this product is a data Query panel with a table. It’s a data page. Often used for data query, for user purposes namely data details query. So the table itself is the best form of presentation. If data analysis is needed, the best way to do it is with tabular Pivottables. Do not discard tables for the sake of beauty, because presentation is the best way to present detailed and unambiguous data.
  4. Interactive analysis tools: Products that are not typically presented as charts. It’s an interactive console, like a doctor’s operating table, dissecting data continuously. With a couple of electrocardiogram machines (analysis charts), the data analyst can follow the initial clues, using the analysis provided by the console, and gradually solve the puzzle. Or maybe you stumble on some potential connections and get rich overnight. It is usually designed to leave the maximum area to the console. Auxiliary panel to assist with detailed analysis. While focusing on the flexibility of the layout can be operated on the retractable panel area. Including toolbars, data sources, data details, data filters and other infrastructure.

What’s the point? At least you know what the product manager is doing!