What tricks can you use to make your data visualizations more impactful?

Choosing the right type of visualization is one of the crucial tasks in storytelling. Simple selecting a wrong graph will interpret your results in a totally inaccurate manner. I often find big newspapers / media using graphs as they like without knowing the real usage, communicating unrealistic statistics to the general public which is not acceptable at all. If you want to be a good story teller, first get your visualization correct!

Your story should match with the visualisation type you choose. At the same time the audience should also be able to easily understand the data visual with the help of your story. If the data is detailed then you can choose a combination of data visualisations too.

I have been studying Data Storytelling for the past few years. I will share with you two of the best tips. The first is get your paper and a pen. Why? Drafting your visualization on a paper allows you to "think" and "conceptualize" what you want your audience to see. The second tip is simply applying a mini PDSA on your chart. What do i mean by this? Show your visualizations to few of your colleagues and simply ask them: "What do you see first?" If within 20-30 seconds they answered with exactly what you envisioned communicating, then congratulations and your visualization pass the test and you complete your PDSA successfully! Otherwise, go back and draft a new version to your graph and storytelling!

To make your data visualizations more impactful, keep it simple and focused on the main message. Use colors strategically to highlight important information and ensure it's easy to understand. Add clear titles and labels to provide context. Choose the right type of chart to represent your data effectively. Tell a story with your visualizations to guide the viewer through the insights.

Make sure it all adds up in your story. It almost doesn't matter what type of graph you pick, as long as it makes sense in your narrative. Let them see 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂, let them see what you and your business are really made of.

Let us declutter, one graph at a time! Here are 3 of my favorite tips to illustrate those concepts: Unnecessary Gridlines: Time to trim the vines! Remove them, they add no value in most cases. Color Use: Embrace a focused duo. Instead of using different colors for each hospital, use a single color for the bars and another contrasting color to highlight the hospital we're focusing on. Storytelling Titles: Ditch the jargon, embrace the headline. "Hospital Acquired Infections: A 20% Improvement since last month" and bonus tip, place a downward arrow to draw attention to the trending" Now we're talking!

I have seen powerpoint slides full of numbers in excel cells ... with no clear and obvious message, insight, outcome. Terrible. Show what you need to show to get across your message. So try and limit the amount of data on show, and what you do show - make sure it is easy to see and understand. Communicate as the storyteller what the message is ... the data visualisation will give the needed context.

Make sure that the data you include in your story is easily digestible and presented in an accessible manner for your audience. Otherwise, you risk confusing your audience.

Breaking down information into byte size visuals is my go to way to represent data in stories. In a recent data story I told, I used color segregation as my tool. Varying sizes are also an effective way of making visualisations easy.

In a world inundated with information, simplicity is not just a choice; it's a necessity. Think of your data visualization as a beacon of clarity amidst a sea of noise. By decluttering unnecessary elements and distilling complex data into its purest form, you're not just presenting information; you're granting your audience a moment of clarity and understanding. It's the difference between a cluttered desk and a clean slate—allowing your audience to focus on the message you're delivering without distractions.

Data Storytelling is not just a visual display, it is the context and the story that will add value to your message. But how do you make a graph, for example, more meaningful? Instead of titling your graph, Number of patient visits in Calendar Year 2023, you could say "10% increase in Patient Visits over the last Quarter in 2023". Make it easy on your audience to understand the graph. Label your axes and avoid abbreviations. To emphasize certain context or message, you could use different colors, to highlight a trend or certain patterns. Be consistent with the use of colors. People assume green is good, orange is a sign of caution and red represents an area for improvement.

Provide context for the data by including relevant labels, titles, and annotations that explain key findings or trends. Incorporate storytelling elements to connect the data to real-world scenarios or illustrate its significance to the audience.

Context is an important ingredient of any data story, and sits firmly within the start point layer of your storytelling process. Subjective and objective context will allow your data to have a scene set in which it has place, where it can tell its own story / message - but always anchor back. Through a business lens - this can be the context setting of competition behaviour and posture .. the data story then shares the impact of that which could be market share ... the outcome of their actions.

Metrics matter only and only when you add meaning to them. Without meaning, metrics are useless. By meaning, I mean, paint the impact of this data. For instance, show them the 1000 songs in your pocket (impact), not XY Gb of storage space (input).

Hmmm…. Visual Metaphors? Contextual imagery makes your data relatable and engaging, turning numbers into narratives.

 Neuroscience tells us that our brains are wired to understand and retain information better when it’s presented in a story-like format. Visual metaphors transform cold, hard data into engaging, memorable narratives. The Impact of Contextual Imagery: Enhanced Understanding: By visually mirroring the data’s essence, these images make complex information more digestible. Stronger Recall: Visual metaphors are memorable, ensuring your data sticks with your audience long after they’ve seen it. Emotional Resonance: Contextual imagery can evoke emotions, making your data more impactful and persuasive.

You don't need whizzy animations that look like your 11 year old daughter on a sugar high designed your Powerpoint slides. But you can control the flow of elements arriving on the screen so that they don't overwhelm your audience and distract from your narrative. A simple "Fade" animation is my number one choice. Use animations so that any complexity in your visuals arrive as your narrative gets to the part of the diagram/graph. Amplify your story with your visuals, don't distract.

Interactivity and animation are a great way to show visually how a data set pertaining to your story has changed overtime. This can really put progression or regression overtime into perspective for your audience.

A great example of a data story delivered with interactivity and animation is with Al Gore. He uses energy, interactivity and even props to engage the audience with the data. Watch a couple .... it can help to help with ideas and innovation to bring the data stories to life

Imagine your data visualization as a living, breathing entity—a dynamic tableau that evolves and adapts with each interaction. By incorporating interactivity and animation, you're inviting your audience to become active participants in the story you're telling. Whether it's a playful hover effect or a mesmerizing transition, each interaction deepens engagement, transforming passive viewers into eager explorers, and ensuring that your message leaves a lasting impression.

After experimenting with different transitions and animations, I tend to stick to only one now- Dissolve/Fade. The focus of the story should be on the story teller and now the words spiralling on your slides. Visuals are there to support your presentation, not dictate your story.

Behind every great data visualization lies a journey of iteration and refinement—a relentless pursuit of perfection fueled by curiosity and a drive for excellence. Embrace the process of testing and refining your visualizations, recognizing that each iteration brings you one step closer to brilliance. It's not just about getting it right; it's about constantly striving to do better, pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and unleashing the full potential of your data to inspire and enlighten.

Learning from others in the field of data visualization is indeed a powerful tool. As a marketing professional, I've found that observing and studying the work of others can provide fresh perspectives and inspire innovative ideas. It's not about copying, but about understanding different approaches and techniques that can be adapted and applied to your own work. This is particularly true in corporate storytelling where the way data is visualized can significantly impact the narrative.

The path to mastery is rarely travelled alone. Embrace the wisdom of those who came before you, drawing inspiration from their triumphs and learning from their mistakes. Surround yourself with a community of fellow enthusiasts, sharing insights, exchanging ideas, and collectively pushing the boundaries of what's possible. In this journey of discovery, remember that every interaction, every collaboration, is an opportunity to grow—together, we can achieve greatness.

Let’s dive into an example: “Did you know that plastic takes xx amount of time to decompose?” Here you can display a visual about this. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 “Our solution removes xx of plastic per year” You can display another one here. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 if they make sense in supporting an interesting story, you take advantage of them while you are telling the story.

First Picture - "To Denver" This image suggests a journey filled with excitement and possibility. The man's thumbs-up hints at a positive anticipation for his trip to Denver, leaving the purpose open to interpretation – adventure, business, or personal exploration. Second Picture - "To Denver for Mother's Dinner" This picture tells a more personal story. The mention of "Mother's Dinner" adds a layer of familial affection and purpose. It's not just a trip, but a meaningful journey home, filled with family love and anticipation for a heartfelt reunion. Both pictures use the same basic elements – a guy, a thumbs-up gesture, and a destination – but the added context in the second transforms the narrative significantly.

As you embark on your quest to create impactful data visualizations, remember that the journey is as important as the destination. Stay curious, stay humble, and never stop exploring. And above all, remember the power that lies within your hands—the power to inform, to inspire, and to ignite change. So go forth with courage and conviction, armed with the knowledge that your visualizations have the potential to reshape the world.

Contrast- color code, before vs after, then vs now, with vs without. Contrast is one of the best ways to illustrate change and transformation in story telling.