Gaussian periods are important objects in algebraic number theory and have been studied for centuries. However, it is only recently (in the last decade or so) that Gaussian periods have been studied from a more visual perspective. By plotting Gaussian periods in the complex plane, we can immediately see various patterns and structures emerging, and this allows us to more easily study Gaussian periods as a whole. In this talk, I will introduce this visual study of Gaussian periods and discuss some of the structure that we find there. I will also discuss new ways in which we can study Gaussian periods as well as define two new generalizations of Gaussian periods using the perspectives of character theory and class field theory.