storytelling with data podcast

We often complain about the constraints we face when communicating via a presentation: we don’t have enough time, we don’t have the right tools, we are only allowed a limited number of slides. In this episode, Cole discusses how constraints can actually be amazing and how imposing constraints intentionally on our work can better arm us to deal with those constraints that are less in our control. Cole also answers reader questions on strategies for upskilling data visualization across an organization, the best place to put monetary symbols, using different types of graphs together, and the use of color in data visualization.

LINKS:

Recent blog post illustrating different graph types on same slide

March #SWDchallenge recap: bring on the bars

Updates: upcoming public workshop in SF, Audible book

Big Book of Dashboards

Workshop/training inquiries: [email protected]

Questions? email [email protected]

Feedback? email [email protected]

“It depends.” These two simple words can answer a number of questions raised when it comes to visualizing data and communicating with it effectively. In this session, Cole discusses 10 common data visualization questions where the answer is “it depends” and discusses what it depends on and the critical thought process required for success in this space. Cole also answers reader questions on considerations between lower and upper case in data visualization related text and Excel resources.

Mentioned Show Links:

Study on pie charts by Robert Kosara & Drew Skau

F**ck it, let’s use pie charts by Jon Schwabish

Misleading data & visualizations video, Alberto Cairo at Urban Institute

Visualizing incomplete & missing data + Visualizing the uncertainty in data by Nathan Yau

Recent #SWDchallenge: 88 annotated line graphsRecent SWD post incorporating reader feedback on where to put text by Elizabeth Ricks

How much labeling should you include in a visualization? + Is white space always your friend? by Neil Richards

Excel resources: SWD excel downloads, annkemery.com, Peltier Tech & Chandoo

Updates: Audible book, upcoming public workshops in London, Zurich, SF & Seattle

Questions? email [email protected]

Feedback? email [email protected]

“How did you start storytelling with data?” is a question I receive frequently. In this episode, I’m interviewed by my husband, Randy, and field questions on how it all came to be, including finding balance between work and family, some book-writing tips, and my outlook on where SWD will go from here.

Mentioned Show Links:

Follow Randy on Twitter | LinkedIn

Google Project Oxygen Study: NYT Article | HBR Business Case

Blog posts mentioned: the book you’re holding might be a fake! | that’s not my workshop...  

Cole's chocolate chip cookie recipe!

Cole's Baked French Toast recipe!

Questions? email [email protected]

Feedback? email [email protected]

The term "storytelling" is more popular than ever—but moving beyond the buzzword—there is real impact that you can have by framing your data in story. In this episode, Cole shares her perspective on what makes a story and why those working with data should care. She tackles listener Q&A on data visualization vs. storytelling, NFL football stats, and how to tell when a visualization is complete.

Be sure to subscribe and write a review if you like what you hear! 

Mentioned show links:

• Books: Larry Gets Lost, The Cat in the Hat, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Video: the future of storytelling
• Other perspectives on story: Jon Schwabish, Robert Kosara
• Video: example telling a story with data in a live setting & standalone (starting at 17:30)
• Questions? email [email protected]
• Feedback? email [email protected]

Feedback is a critical component for refining and perfecting data visualization. In this first episode, Cole discusses both the value of giving and receiving dataviz feedback and potential problem areas to avoid. Hear The Economist’s response to the recent hurricane data visualization challenge as well as answers to reader questions on the topics of when to use graphs, considerations with dashboards and dataviz 101 book resources.

Be sure to subscribe and write a review if you like what you hear!

Mentioned show links:

• Feedback? email [email protected]
• Blog post: SWD makeover challenge on The Economist’s hurricane graph
• Article: “Design & Redesign in Data Visualization” by Fernanda Viegas & Martin Wattenberg
• Blog post: my guiding principles
• Article: The subtle art that differentiates good designers from great designers by UX Planet
• Blog post: a tale about opportunity
• Book: The Big Book of Dashboards by Steve Wexler, Jeff Shaffer & Andy Cotgreave
• Questions? email [email protected]