Establish government-wide data visualization standards

The Gouvernement of Quebec asked Voilà: to create a data visualization style guide.

This ambitious project aimed to equip the whole Québec.ca’s website with a common visualization language. The result of that? Greater clarity and accessibility of the information shared with the general public

Set of staggered images developed in the data visualization style guide.

Created to be useful

The style guide is structured by function and includes a decision tree that links all of them with their preferred types of graphics.

Users can then explore sections dedicated to each type of chart, where they can find best practices, examples, and more.

 

Decision tree in the shape of a table titled “What do you want to illustrate?” It is divided into three rows representing the functions. On the left and right are the different ways of presenting data. At either end are visual representations of the graphs chosen at the end of the decisions made by the users.

The part about good practices is rooted with a model chart that is “deconstructed”. We go over the essential components of a graphic, as well as its visual appearance.

Image showing the same graph twice, but in a different way. In the first, the information shows its components, such as the title, axes, labels and source. In the second, the information shows the graphic standards to be used to develop it, such as the name, size and colour of the font.

Finally, for each chart type, we reworked original visuals by applying the best practices described in the guide. The goal is to demonstrate that these best practices are realistic and achievable within their intended context.

4 consecutive images show examples of before-and-after graphics. In each of these images, the original graph, in small at the top left, is compared with the one developed by Voilà:, in large at the center of the image.
4 consecutive images show examples of before-and-after graphics. In each of these images, the original graph, in small at the top left, is compared with the one developed by Voilà:, in large at the center of the image.
4 consecutive images show examples of before-and-after graphics. In each of these images, the original graph, in small at the top left, is compared with the one developed by Voilà:, in large at the center of the image.
4 consecutive images show examples of before-and-after graphics. In each of these images, the original graph, in small at the top left, is compared with the one developed by Voilà:, in large at the center of the image.

Created to be complete

We have provided each example in landscape format (for desktop display) and portrait format (for mobile display). We have also included a series of recommendations for adapting charts from one format to another. 

The guide also contains recommendations in the form of “cards” for the creation and layout of dashboards, the integration of interactive functions into graphics, and best practices for the layout of tables.

Here is an example of best practices “cards”.

Series of 3 recommendation ‘cards’. In 3 columns, they present the original graphic on the left, the best practices to adopt underneath, and in the next two columns, the revised graphic in landscape and portrait format.
Series of 3 recommendation ‘cards’. In 3 columns, they present the original graphic on the left, the best practices to adopt underneath, and in the next two columns, the revised graphic in landscape and portrait format.
Series of 3 recommendation ‘cards’. In 3 columns, they present the original graphic on the left, the best practices to adopt underneath, and in the next two columns, the revised graphic in landscape and portrait format.

Here is an example of content about table layout.

1 before/after image showing recommendations for the layout of tables. The small original table, top left, is compared with the one developed by Voilà:, large in the centre of the image.

We reworked the website’s color palette to improve contrast and accessibility. We developed a series of sequential and divergent variations and added recommendations based on different contexts of use.

Finally, we included recommendations for creating visualizations that are suitable for neurodivergent individuals, as well as guidance on the importance of, and how to write, alternative text (the text read by screen readers when an image is included on a web page).

1 image composed of 2 visuals representing the reworked colour palette. In the top left-hand corner, the first graph shows the contrast between each of the colours and the thickness of the line. Bottom right: a table showing the sequential and categorical colour palettes that the client now uses in its projects.

Conclusion

Developing a standards guide for the Quebec public service required a special approach. 

We aimed both to equip users with concrete examples and to provide change to managers with recommendations and best practices to share internally.

We also wanted to create a guide that not only conveys knowledge related to the “production” of charts (“how to make a chart”) but also to the “conceptualization” (“when to make a chart” and “how to choose the right chart”).

The gradual rollout of the standards by the Government of Quebec is available on their website.

Does your organization manage a large amount of data and seek more structure in how it's presented? Do you want your charts to align with your visual identity? Would you like to integrate data visualization best practices into your workflows? A standard style guide might be the solution for you. Get in touch with us!.

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