Source Data Vs Made Data

Source Data Vs Made Data

Source Data vs Made Data is a fundamental distinction in design research and data visualization that represents two primary approaches to gathering and utilizing information in the design process. Source data refers to pre-existing information collected from external sources, such as statistical databases, surveys, scientific studies, or historical records, which designers can analyze and interpret to inform their design decisions. This type of data is characterized by its independence from the design process itself, as it exists prior to and separate from the designer's intervention. Made data, conversely, encompasses information specifically generated through the design process, including prototypes, user testing results, iterative feedback, and experimental outcomes created by designers to address specific design challenges. The relationship between these two data types plays a crucial role in evidence-based design practices, where designers must effectively balance and integrate both forms to create well-informed solutions. In contemporary design practice, the distinction becomes particularly relevant when considering data visualization and information design projects, where designers must often transform complex source data into accessible visual representations while potentially generating additional made data through user interaction studies and feedback loops. The A' Design Award competition often recognizes outstanding examples of projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to handling both source and made data, particularly in categories related to information design and data visualization. The integration of these two data types has become increasingly important in the digital age, where the abundance of source data and the capability to generate made data through digital tools and user interactions has created new opportunities and challenges for designers in creating meaningful and effective design solutions.

data analysis, information design, research methodology, design process, data visualization, user testing, empirical evidence, design research

— Lucas Reed

CITATION : "Lucas Reed. 'Source Data Vs Made Data.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/source-data-vs-made-data?E=473953 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"