Each year DVS hosts a survey challenge using the Annual State of the Industry Survey data. This provides an opportunity for members to practice their visualization skills while learning and sharing observations and insights about data visualizers around the globe. Each entry goes through multiple rounds of review. First, a DVS representative, often the Programs Director or other DVS Board Member, screens the submissions for basic features, such as using the required survey data and providing a functioning link to the visualization, as well as other housekeeping such as deconflicting duplicate entries in the same category and ensuring we have appropriate contact information for viz authors.

The entries are then judged by a panel of data visualization experts on criteria such as whether the viz is impactful, engaging, clear, impressive, beautiful, and accessible. Each visualization is rated on all dimensions by at least two judges. Judges also provide feedback on the visualizations, an important but rare feature for challenges. Scores are standardized within judges to ensure fairness when combining scores (e.g., some judges’ scores cluster around the high end of the scale while others are more moderate, standardization helps account for these differences and ensures no one is differently advantaged or disadvantaged because of the judges they were assigned).

After scores are tallied, the potential winners of each category go through data checks. A critical component of visualizing data is analyzing, summarizing, and representing it appropriately. A DVS representative reviews samples of the presented data from each viz. If there are questions about the findings, the viz author will be contacted. In the event the data are misrepresented or misinterpreted in the initially submitted visualization, the submission will be disqualified. Any changes in the category winners are considered and also go through data checks.

Data

Check out previous years’ data linked below to see what our community has shared over the years!

Judges

Entries are evaluated by a panel of judges who are announced each year.

EXPLORATORY DATA VISUALIZATION

The most useful exploratory visualization. We want to see dashboards and other visualizations that let people generate and test their hypotheses about what motivates and affects the field.

EXPLANATORY DATA VISUALIZATION

The most engrossing explanatory visualization. We want to see the trends in the data and how they weave together to tell us what’s happening in the data viz community.

Rules

  • Each person can only enter two submissions and only one submission for each category.

  • Entries are open to Data Visualization Society members. If you are not a member, it’s easy and free to join. Sign up here.

  • Groups can enter but any group entry must be a list of names and cannot be an organization. Gallery space + online ribbons can be shared by all group members named.

  • You must use the 2023 Annual State of the Industry Survey Data. You are also welcome to use annual survey data from previous years or other relevant datasets. If you use any additional datasets, they need to be cited.

  • Any work presented must be your own.

  • By entering you give DVS the non-exclusive right to publish your work and/or screenshots of it. (Examples of use: social media, website, emails and reports)

  • All work must adhere to the DVS Code of Conduct.

  • DVS Board members, advisory committee, judges and their immediate family are not eligible to place in the top 3 entries win prizes (as relevant). However, they may enter and be included in the gallery. 

  • The Data Visualization Society reserves the right to not award a prize for a category.