InfoGraphics and Data analytics

Data visualization is both an art and a science. The rate at which data is generated has increased, driven by an increasingly information-based economy. Data created by internet activity and an expanding number of sensors in the environment, such as satellites and traffic cameras, are referred to as "Big Data". Processing, analyzing and communicating this data present a variety of ethical and analytical challenges for data visualization. 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Numbers
Because of our human ability to understand relationships quickly based on size, position and other spatial attributes, the eye can summarize what might otherwise require thousands of numbers to convey.

Researcher and Analyst started sharing Information in the form of graph and chart which gave the concept of INFO-GRAPHICS

Edward Rolf Tufte s an American statistician and professor emeritus of political science, statistics, and computer science at Yale University.
Tufte is an expert in the presentation of informational graphics such as charts and diagrams,
Information design
Tufte's writing is important in such fields as information design and visual literacy, which deal with the visual communication of information. He coined the word chartjunk to refer to useless, non-informative, or information-obscuring elements of quantitative information displays.
Tufte's other key concepts include what he calls the lie factor, the data-ink ratio, and the data density of a graphic
Chartjunk refers to all visual elements in charts and graphs that are not necessary to comprehend the information represented on the graph, or that distract the viewer from this information

He uses the term "data-ink ratio" to argue against using excessive decoration in visual displays of quantitative information.In Visual Display, Tufte explains, "Sometimes decorations can help editorialize about the substance of the graphic. But it's wrong to distort the data measures—the ink locating values of numbers—in order to make an editorial comment or fit a decorative scheme."[citation needed][page needed]


Tufte encourages the use of data-rich illustrations that presented all available data. When such illustrations are examined closely, every data point has a value, but when they are looked at more generally, only trends and patterns can be observed. Tufte suggests these macro/micro readings be presented in the space of an eye-span, in the high resolution format of the printed page, and at the unhurried pace of the viewer's leisure.

Here is the few interesting links
10 Best Or Worst Ways To Visualise Web Analytics Data
http://online-behavior.com/analytics/data-visualization
The 37 best tools for data visualization
http://www.creativebloq.com/design-tools/data-visualization-712402
Beautiful use of Infographics
http://lucidworks.com/blog/black-friday-battle-plan/

Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Tufte