Techniques are described for genomically defining digital genes encoding data visualization elements and potential incremental changes to the elements as the basis for a genetic selection process for automated generating of data visualizations. In one aspect, a method includes receiving set of input data. The method further includes generating digital genes that genomically define data visualization elements based on the input data, and that define potential incremental changes to the data visualization elements. The method further includes executing a genetic selection process with respect to one or more fitness functions on populations of candidate data visualizations that are based on the genomically defined data visualization elements. The method further includes outputting final data visualization output generated by the genetic selection process.