Welcome to a Neuro-Psychological Examination of Human Perception and it’s Role in Data Visualisation, or "Why I hate Pie Charts"

Everyone knows what a pie chart is, there's been at least one on every report since the dawn of time. Who doesn't love a pie chart?

I don't.

I don't love a pie chart.

In this talk, we'll be diving into the neuro-psychology of data visualisation and the perceptual systems in the brain responsible for making data visualisation such a powerful communication tool.

We'll start with the basics of Bertin's Visual Variables and Gestalt Psychology, then move into the deeper mechanisms of colour, memory, and attention.

Along the way, we'll make pitstops showcasing why pie charts break every one of these "perceptual rules", going against a millennium of human evolution.

By breaking down the sub-conscious we can understand what makes a good chart good and what makes a pie chart bad.

No experience is needed, but if you've ever seen a data analyst roll their eyes or shudder at the three-letter word "pie" then this is the chance to learn why.