What to expect?

Let’s examine a practical application of basic Data Visualization concepts and Data Storytelling. We will look at one existing publicly available chart on the internet, preferably each week. You can take these lessons to your world of Data Storytelling. Apply them at the office or home when persuading your spouse about spending habits :-).

Data Storytelling Example

Our example will be a chart from a BNY blog featuring various topics, accompanied by corresponding charts. Here, we are not very interested in the topic itself. We focus more on the visual and the story it wants to tell. Note that there is a difference when you have a whole article vs. you presenting. A full article explains what you can see on the chart. It differs from when you have just you and your slide in front of an audience. The way you show your points will differ. The important thing is: Data Storytelling is everywhere.

The setting

The article discusses what Productivity is and why it is an important key performance indicator (KPI). It specifically describes why it can be an advantage or a drag to a Country or Region’s growth. The chart displays the data. It is selected adequately because it is an Item Compare. Yet, not everything stands out right away. Thus, I would suggest the following adjustments to enhance the message and incorporate more visual elements. Practice these Data Visualization skills to become fluent and progress faster in your career.

Further enhancements to the chart to improve the Data storytelling should be:

• Slim down the bars – I would reduce the space taken by the bars. I want to slim it down so that I can implement the following improvement.
• Add arrows – I would add arrows between the bars. One of the key takeaways from the chart should be that the US is the only one growing. You can argue it is visible. Still, there are at least eight visual intersections on the chart. The audience can interpret things differently.
• Remove Y axis – No need for Y axis if you have already have data labels above your bars.
• Add a Telling Title – When you read the title, you should get the message straight away. This lets you easily follow it in the article if you are more interested in the details.
• Add Coloring to the Headlines (and X-axis) too – so that you can clearly associate the verbal narrative to the visual

An alternative result after application of a few concepts of Data Visualization:

Or this time around, I am adding another alternative as well:

I have used a lollipop chart to showcase the slope of the change. It suggests that the rest of the world is in decline. Meanwhile, the US is increasing.

Summary

Review the simple concepts for clear Data Storytelling. Keep practicing. You can do wonders—not only for the Visualizations but also for your Data Storytelling and professional career. There are multiple views of the same story; you need to select the one that best suits you.

If there is a chart you wish me to review, just let me know. I can give some thoughts on revision. Please contact me via the contact form.

You can use the Chart of the Week tag to see other examples.

For a free downloadable resource, click the Chart Decision Tree and Compare Visual Guide.