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 IMF blog. It is an article showing who (income class) owns what % of Wealth in Eurozone. A corresponding chart is provided below to accompany the article.

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 between reading a whole article to understand context. Presenting the idea in front of an audience is a different skill. A full article sometimes explains what you can see on the chart. It is another challenge 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 describes how Wealth ownership has changed over time. It clearly states that the TOP 10% owns 56% of all Wealth. Although it is written on the chart, it’s very challenging to see the change in the share of ownership. There are 3 storylines you can take out of a correctly structured chart: 1. The trend in Total Wealth ($T); 2. Share of the ownership and finally 3. The Change in the Share of Ownership. Correctly, this chart is a Stacked Bar chart, because it is showing Components, which is a Component Comparison. The chart displays the data, but I would look at it differently and add/eliminate a few elements. This is to align with Tufte’s data-to-ink ratio. 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:

• Isolate the “story” with the right Colors – I would tone down the colors. Using just a different shades is enough in this case. Clearly separate the $ (Wealth, Purple) from % (Share, Grey).
• Declutter the X axis – You can remove the gridlines for the X axis. I would just keep 3 labels for years that show the timeline in a simpler way.
• Add Labels where needed – Use labels sparingly. Only keep those that indicate a change in the trajectory. Example: I chose to show only 53% and 56%. This suggests that the share of the TOP 10% has grown over 14 years by 300bps. I have even used a TEXT label to note it in the chart clearly.
• Add a Telling Title – When you read the title, you should immediately grasp the message. This allows you to easily follow along in the article if you are more interested in the details.
• Add Coloring to the Headlines, too, so that you can associate the verbal narrative with the visual.
• Blend Charts – if it’s doable, you can blend two charts into one. This method allows you to save space. It also helps to tell the story more efficiently. I have blended the 100% Stacked Bar chart and Line Chart.

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.

You can download your essential Data Storytelling guides here for free: Free Downloads.