storytelling with data

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An easy step to improve your graph: 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀. Words help explain our data and tell our audience what's important in our graphs and slides. Then you can go a step further by enhancing the design to reinforce the takeaway. Check out the impact below. To see more before and after redesigns, check out our dedicated makeover page:  https://lnkd.in/etwT99Y7

Graphs work best when the data is clearly relevant to the audience—this is true whether you're referring to adults or kids. If you're designing surveys for either of these groups, check out this short video.

COMBINE DATA & WORDS It is a common myth that data can speak for itself and that a data picture (graph) is worth a million words. In reality, we need words to help us make sense of our data and present it in a way that is accessible to our audience. By pairing data with words, we can effectively tell a story that makes sense to our audience.

2025 PUBLIC WORKSHOP SCHEDULE Our workshops enable you to bring your data and ideas to life and communicate a story confidently to an audience, with a focus on simplicity and ease of interpretation. Based on the strategies covered in our best-selling books, our engaging virtual and in-person sessions teach the fundamentals of effective visualization, building compelling narratives, planning and creating memorable communications, and delivering captivating presentations. You’ll learn practical strategies to put to use at every phase of your data communication process. Whether you are looking for half-day virtual sessions, full-day in-person masterclasses or an immersive 8-week online course we have the session for you to accelerate your data storytelling skills in 2025!

THREE PRINCIPLES FOR A STELLAR GRAPH No one intends to create a lousy graph, but it happens to the best of us. Ineffective data visualizations are everywhere! But rather than just say what’s wrong with a graph, it’s more useful to think about solutions. How could we actually improve this communication? In the majority of situations, we can make our graphs better by addressing three main things: - Using an appropriate chart type for the scenario and data type - Leveraging smart design to reduce visual clutter and emphasize important takeaways - Adding clarifying words to convey the point of the visual This month our #SWDChallenge tasks you with Find a graph that makes you pause or gasp—and not in a good way! Use the above three principles of a good graph to improve and redesign it. Ask yourself if there is a better chart type. Can you be more thoughtful in the design choices? And finally, what words need to be there to give the data meaning? 

HOW TO TRANSFORM a cluttered chart into a clear, actionable data story The pictures here show how we took a real-world example—a warehouse performance chart—and turned it into an effective visual story. We did so by following the SWD process: understanding context, choosing the right visual, decluttering, and focusing attention where it matters. Want to learn how a few intentional changes—like simplifying the color palette and rotating the bars—can transform a chart from a simple data report into a story that drives action? Follow the link in the comments below for the full walkthrough, and start elevating your data storytelling. #DataStorytelling #ChartMakeover #DataVisualization

Calling all K–5th grade educators (& parents!)...

Looking to display a lot of information all at once? You can make it easier for viewers to grasp the main points by carefully organizing and highlighting your data. Take a look at the before-and-after transformation below to see the difference. Ready to learn more? Check out the article linked in the comments for a step-by-step guide on improving your visuals, from getting a clear understanding of the context of the message, simplifying visuals, arranging data intuitively, through highlighting the most essential information.

When creating a graph, one decision point is whether to show the axis or label the data points directly. Here's a quick guide to help you choose: 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏: 𝐀𝐱𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 Perfect for showcasing data trends and patterns without clutter. Ideal when the overall shape matters more than specific values. 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐: 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 Best when precise numbers are key. Remove the numeric axis to avoid redundancy and focus on individual data points. 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟑: 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 Highlight critical data points while maintaining context. Use sparingly to draw attention where it matters most. In general, when you are deciding whether to show the axis, label the data directly, or some combination of these things, consider how you want your audience to read the graph. Also, ask yourself: • What level of detail does your audience require? • Where do you want to direct their attention? • How can you balance clarity and visual appeal? By thoughtfully designing your labels and axes, you'll create more effective and engaging data visualizations. What's your go-to approach for labeling charts? Share your thoughts below!