storytelling with data podcast

storytelling with data podcast: #81 How to Make Math Magical for Kids: Cole & Jon Orr from Make Math Moments Nov 07, 2024

In this episode, Cole teams up with Jon Orr, co-founder of Make Math Moments, for an inspiring discussion on how to transform math education for young learners. They dive into Cole's new book, Daphne Draws Data, and explore how storytelling and visual data can empower children to approach math with curiosity and confidence. Cole and Jon share personal stories and professional insights on why sparking interest in math early is crucial. They also provide practical advice on integrating data visualization into classroom activities to make math both meaningful and engaging for kids. Whether you're an educator, parent, or data enthusiast, this episode offers a fresh perspective on teaching math in a way that sticks.

Listening time 24:41 | related links:

related links:

Join Cole’s upcoming virtual mini-workshop: storytellingwithdata.com/goodtogreat
Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation
Audiobook: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation
Podcast ep 45: the power of post-its
Podcast ep 37: it’s for THEM
Resources for university instructors
Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off)
Join data storyteller office hours by going premium in SWD community
Learn via videos: SWD YouTube channel

storytelling with data podcast: #69 feedback you hate to receive Jul 28, 2023

Whether you’ve asked for it or not, sometimes critique from others simply gets under our skin. From feel-good platitudes that lack actionability to outright requests to manipulate data—Cole covers five categories of common graph and slide feedback that people hate to receive. Tune in to learn strategies and practical tips that will help you turn undesirable feedback into useful and insightful input for better graphs and presentations.

related links:

Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation
SWD challenge: rebrand it!
Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off)
Resources for university instructors
Learn via videos: SWD YouTube channel

storytelling with data podcast: #68: tips for successful data stories Jun 16, 2023

What does Cole’s 7-year-old daughter have in common with the typical audience member for your data stories? Tune in to find out! In this short episode, Cole discusses a handful of specific things you can do to help set yourself—and others—up for successful data stories.

Listening time 12:29 | related links:

Resource: the BIG PICTURE worksheet
Related SWD community exercise: the big picture
Podcast episode 49: become a data viz superstar
Video series: become a data viz superstar
Article: showing the insights vs. showing off
Video: the final presentation
More videos: SWD YouTube channel
Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation
Book: let’s practice! (exercise 9.9)

storytelling with data podcast: #67 storytelling withOUT data May 24, 2023

Graphs and slides are often the first tools we reach for when we need to communicate with data—but when might storytelling withOUT data yield better results? Cole outlines numerous scenarios for alternative approaches, sharing examples from clients, workshops, and her books.

From boardgames to baby pics, tune in to learn about humanizing data, when low fidelity solutions work best, the Picture Superiority Effect, and much more.

related links:

Book: let’s practice!
Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation
Register for debut storytelling with you virtual workshop (use code PODCAST10 for 10% off)
Organize a workshop for your team or organization
Access resources for university instructors
Learn via video on the SWD YouTube channel

storytelling with data podcast: #66 Designing in Light and Dark May 15, 2023

Mike and Alex discuss the advantages and drawbacks of designing visualizations with light and dark backgrounds, using examples from SWD community members to highlight where each approach can be preferable. Then, they dive into history and discuss the staying power of some famous graphs. What makes them memorable—and how we might be able to elevate them, using modern tools and perspectives?

Listening time 27:06 | related links:

Challenge: Light and dark backgrounds
Viz: Rob Reid’s gun ownership viz
Viz: Rishi Selva’s newspaper homage
Tool: Datawrapper
Tool: Accessible Colors
Viz: Mike Cisneros’s Last Words viz
Challenge: Remake a famous graph
Challenge: Making or missing the mark
Join data storyteller office hours by going premium in SWD community
Learn via video on the SWD YouTube channel

storytelling with data podcast: #65 EMPHASIZE it! Apr 27, 2023

Cole draws on a recent experience that underscored the power of thoughtful EMPHASIS. Tune in for practical tactics to create contrast visually and verbally, whether for important numbers or words, focusing attention within your table or graph, or communicating clear emphasis through how you speak and move. Cole and colleague Simon also address related questions on tips for virtual presentations, eliminating filler words, preparing content for someone else to present, and more.

Listening time 41:54 | related links:

Register for Chicago masterclass on May 5th (use code PODCAST10 for 10% off)
Order storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation
Access resources for university instructors
Join data storyteller office hours by going premium in SWD community

Learn via video on the SWD YouTube channel

storytelling with data podcast: #64 beginner mistakes in data viz Apr 17, 2023

You'll probably make a few mistakes when learning to visualize and communicate data. That's okay! It's all a part of the learning journey and can be preferred since we often learn more from our mistakes than our successes. SWD storyteller Alex embraces her early missteps as she takes a trip down memory lane to share where she went wrong and what she learned.

Listening time 18:11 plus intro/outro | related links:

Podcast episode: data viz research with Steven Franconeri
Research article (Visual Thinking Lab): Declutter and focus
Steve Wexler’s article: Should you use dashboards to tell stories?
Video: sample presentation with chart animation
Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10)

storytelling with data podcast: #63 bad news and good feedback Apr 02, 2023

SWD storytellers Elizabeth and Mike join forces to tackle some thorny questions about connecting with your audience: how do you know if you’ve done a good job, and what if you have to deliver bad news? In light of a recent “partner up!” challenge in the SWD community, they explore the benefits of working together with colleagues, friends, strangers, and even family members, while sharing some lessons learned from their own collaborative experiences.

Listening time: 34:00 Related links:

Website: SWD challenge
Article: stop, collaborate and listen (to your audience)
Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10)
Order storytelling with you
Get sample content from Cole’s new book

storytelling with data podcast: #62 tension in data stories Mar 02, 2023

Tension is a key component of story—and can be used in powerful ways to communicate in a business setting. In this episode, Cole talks tension: what it is, why you should care, and how to identify and use it in your data stories and beyond. Tune in also to hear common questions related to communicating with tension and their answers, plus related resources that will improve your next graph or presentation.

Listening time 35:00 | related links:

Article: a quick presentation makeover
Article: the structure(s) of story
Article: when tension is high, get to the point
Book: storytelling with you
Book: let’s practice!
Exercise: build the tension
Resource: big idea worksheet
Video channel: SWD YouTube
Video series: storytelling with cole
Video: dashboard to data story makeover
Video: record yourself
Video: create a storyboard
Video: focus attention in data viz
Video: avoid these 5 slide mistakes
Video: the final presentation
Video: don’t keep me in suspense (open to premium)
Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10)
University: instructor resources

storytelling with data podcast: #61 AI, quantified self, and fingernails Feb 10, 2023

SWD storytellers Simon and Mike offer their thoughts on how the recent advancements in AI tools may transform the way we analyze and communicate with data. They also discuss some of their favorite entries and interesting themes from the most recent SWD challenge on the quantified self.

related links:

Website: SWD challenge
A year of fitness by Evelina Judeikyte
Number of steps in 2022 by Iris van Bussel
Reads 2022 by Kirti Vardhan Rathore
My 10 Years of Book Reading by Sibi Maran
Cook more, eat less meat: Is my good resolution for 2023 being kept? by Line Ton That
Water Usage by Rob Reid
Personal Carbon Footprint by George-Alexandru Gavrilovici
Meditation Tracking + Blue Sky Goals by Sarah Stern
A Year of Disc Golf by Bryan Boyle
By the time you finish reading this sentence… by Zen Faulkes
Lizzy’s Goodreads by Shane Reynolds
Order storytelling with you
Get sample content from Cole’s new book

storytelling with data podcast: #60 scale with purpose with Brendan McGurgan Jan 11, 2023

Have a listen to this cross-cast of Cole’s conversation with Brendan McGurgan, host of the ScaleX Insider Podcast and author of Simple Scaling: Ten Proven Principles to 10x Your Business. They discuss scaling organizations and dive deep into the topics of audience, the big idea, storyboarding, using tension to engage your audience, plus tips for improving how you present through practice.

related links:

Follow Brendan: LinkedIn | Website | Youtube
Book: Simple Scaling: Ten Proven Principles to 10x Your Business
Podcast: ScaleX Insider Podcast
Order storytelling with you
Get sample content from Cole’s new book

storytelling with data podcast: #59 questions in dataviz with Neil Richards Nov 30, 2022

Why don’t we use triangles in charts more often? Can design considerations come before we have the data? Do we take data visualization too seriously? Author, speaker, and data literacy advocate Neil Richards raises (and occasionally answers) these and other questions in his new book, Questions in Dataviz: a Data-Driven Process for Data Visualization. In this episode, Neil stops by the podcast to talk about the value of creativity, personal passion projects, experimentation in data visualization, and whether dataviz can change the world.

related links:

Follow Neil: Twitter | Website | Tableau Public (portfolio)
Book: Questions in Dataviz
Podcast: Alli Torban’s Dataviz Today
Project: Makeover Monday
SWD challenge: https://community.storytellingwithdata.com/challenges
Project: Viz for Social Good
Project: Andy Kirk’s The Seinfeld Chronicles
Viz: US county hexmap
Viz: Pet ownership in the UK
Project: Data Visualization Society
Project: Information is Beautiful Awards
Get sample content & order storytelling with you: storytellingwithyou.com
University instructor resources: storytelling with data.com/university
SWD YouTube channel: storytellingwithdata.com/youtube

storytelling with data podcast: #58 don’t! (and what to do instead) Nov 05, 2022

Cole shares a number of data visualization and communication questions that could be answered simply with the word, “Don’t!” From breaking axes and presenting boxplots to unfamiliar audiences, to providing unsolicited feedback to a colleague, and more—you’ll learn why generally not to take these actions, plus hear ideas on what you might do instead.

related links:

Video: the ins & outs of boxplots
Video: transform the teleprompter slide
Blog post: how many words should I put on my slide?
Blog post: unsolicited feedback
Get sample content & order storytelling with you: storytellingwithyou.com
Nov 17 virtual workshop: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops (use discount code: PODCAST10)
University instructor resources: storytelling with data.com/university
SWD YouTube channel: storytellingwithdata.com/youtube

storytelling with data podcast: #57 storytelling with YOU Oct 16, 2022

Cole sits down with husband, Randy Knaflic, for a fun chat about her new book, storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation. They discuss why building capability and confidence presenting is especially important for those in technical roles, overcoming challenges communicating to mixed audiences, navigating the writing process, and more. Tune in to learn what jazz improvisation has in common with presenting and gain appreciation for the art of the introduction—including specific steps you can take to craft the story of you.

related links:

Attend an upcoming storytelling with data workshop in London or virtually
Order storytelling with you
Get sample content from Cole’s new book

storytelling with data podcast: #56 graph draft! Aug 31, 2022

As anyone who has ever participated in a fantasy league can tell you, the most fun part of the whole experience is drafting your team. We took that idea to heart, and imagined, “What if, instead of drafting professional athletes, we did a fantasy draft of chart and graph types?” The data storytellers at SWD and premium members of our online community recently did just that, taking part in a (mostly!) friendly competition to build themselves the strongest possible roster of methods for visualizing information. What chart type was chosen first overall? Did anybody pick pie charts? And, who do YOU think wound up with the best team? Listen to find out!

related links:

Book: Preview and pre-order the new book, storytelling with you
Workshop: Register for an upcoming SWD workshop
Interactive: The Gyllenhaal Experiment at pudding.cool
Chart Guides and additional info: area graph | bar chart | bullet graph | bump chart | choropleth map | dot plot | heatmap | histogram | isotype chart | line graph | lollipop chart | pie chart | Sankey diagram | scatterplot | slopegraph | stacked bar chart | waffle (or square area) chart | waterfall

storytelling with data podcast: #55 functional aesthetics with Dr. Vidya Setlur & Bridget Cogley Aug 02, 2022

How can we use beauty to convey meaning, and form to guide function, in our communications? In this episode of the SWD podcast, Dr. Vidya Setlur and Bridget Cogley explore these questions with data storyteller Mike Cisneros. In their upcoming book Functional Aesthetics for Data Visualization, Vidya (the “academic”) and Bridget (the “practitioner”) explore the relationships among what we see, how we encode information, and what we mean. You’ll hear about the “bento box” model of organizing our information; how text, tone, register, and language affects our visualizations; how our relationship to food can inform what makes a communication effective; and how to go beyond “it depends” when considering the answers to challenging questions.

related links:

Follow Vidya: Twitter (@vsetlur) | LinkedIn | Tableau Research
Follow Bridget: Twitter (@WindsCogley) | LinkedIn | TableauFit blog
Book: Functional Aesthetics for Data Visualization
Article: Honoring Kelly Martin, including the “Birdstrike Redoux” visualization
Article: The Ishango bone, an early mathematical tool
Paper: “The medium is the message” by Marshall McLuhan
Article: “Light vision” by Margaret Livingstone (regarding isoluminance in Monet)

Book: Mind in Motion by Barbara Tversky

storytelling with data: #54 storytelling, folklore, and data with Joshua Smith Jun 17, 2022

Data storyteller Mike Cisneros sat down with Iron Viz champion, Tableau Visionary, and self-described “data jackalope” Joshua Smith to talk about how folklore—the study of how information is communicated, primarily through informal means—provides us a fascinating lens through which to examine how data visualization has evolved and continues to develop, both as a discipline and as a community of practitioners. You’ll learn how “best practices” emerge, transform and persist (or are discarded) over time, how informal communication and culture can have unexpected effects on how our work is received, the inextricable links between belief and “objective” data, and how a storyteller can position themselves to be most effective.

Several folklorists were mentioned in the course of this discussion.

Dan Ben-Amos defined folklore as “Artistic communication in small groups.”
Lynne S. McNeil defined it as “Informally transmitted traditional culture.”
Alan Dundes identified many forms of folklore
William Bascom specified the four functions of folklore: it lets people escape from repressions imposed upon them by society e.g.: tall tales; it validates culture, justifying its rituals and institutions to those who perform and observe them; it is a pedagogic device which reinforces morals and values and builds wit; and it is a means of applying social pressure and exercising social control
Richard Bauman explored performance theory and audience evaluation
Andrea Kitta explored the strength of personal narrative

Book | Info We Trust by RJ Andrews
Project | Makeover Monday
Article | Nancy Duarte - “Like Yoda You Must Be”
Article | Lilach Manheim & Mike Cisneros - “Beyond the hook: Building information experiences for attention and engagement”
Visualization | Robert Janezic - “Music Memories”

storytelling with data: #53 Shashank Kalanithi interviews Cole May 18, 2022

Recently, Cole chatted with senior data analyst Shashank Kalanithi for his YouTube channel, where he helps people break into the world of analytics. Listen to this repost of their conversation—you’ll hear Cole reflect on a wide range of topics, from why technical experts should double down on communication skills, to the ideal tech stack, to advice for undergrads, graduate students, and those transitioning into a career in data. Tune in also to be among the first to hear details about Cole’s new book!

Follow Shashank’s YouTube channel
Watch the original conversation
Practice & exchange feedback: SWD community
Article: data doesn't speak for itself
Article: audience matters
Article: audience, audience, audience
Article: what tool should I use?
Podcast: goals like Google
Podcast: data viz research with Steven Franconeri

storytelling with data: #52 you asked... Apr 26, 2022

Through our workshops, we get the rare opportunity to meet thousands of people every year, across a huge variety of industries, companies, and roles. We never know what kinds of questions we’re going to be asked. In this episode, SWD storyteller Mike Cisneros highlights a few recent notable questions, ranging from chart choices, to design, to presentation. The range of topics may be broad, but the commonality among everything discussed here is that they’re answers to questions you asked.

Attend an upcoming workshop: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops

(use promo code PODCAST10 for 10% off the registration fee)

Hans Rosling: 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes (BBC)

Hans Rosling: The best stats you’ve ever seen (TED talk)

Video: Animating data

Blog: Left-aligning chart titles

Blog: The right amount of detail

SWD community exercise: optimize your output

SWD community exercise: storyboard YOUR project

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Additional voice content: Jennifer Schumi

Additional music: “Destiny” by ASHUTOSH

https://www.ashutoshmusic.com/music

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

storytelling with data: #51 the path to trusted advisor Apr 01, 2022

How can you position yourself—and your team—to be a valued analytics consultant by your stakeholders and clients? Cole talks with Simon Rowe, the newest data storyteller on the SWD team, about his experience and tips for building productive partnerships. Tune in to hear about the journey from reactive to proactive data analytics, including practical strategies you can employ to avoid missteps, build relationships, and have greater impact in your work. Related links:

Follow Simon: Twitter | LinkedIn

storytelling with data: #50 data viz research with Steven Franconeri Feb 17, 2022

“I want to be able to show it and say, doesn’t that feel good? And you know what? We actually know it works well, it’s not just your intuition.” In this episode, Cole talks with Northwestern University professor and director of the Visual Thinking Lab, Dr. Steven Franconeri. Hear about research that helps us understand and harness the limits of our visual system and how it can be translated into practical terms to help you design better graphs and dashboards. Cole and Steve discuss several recent studies, how to bridge the chasm between academia and practitioners, some of the unsolved problems of data visualization, and more. Related links:

Follow Steve: Twitter | LinkedIn | Faculty page
The Visual Thinking Lab
Journal: Psychological Science in the Public Interest
Paper: The Science of Visual Data Communication: What Works, single page summary
Paper: Declutter and Focus: Empirically Evaluating Design Guidelines for Effective Data Communication
Paper: Visual Arrangements of Bar Charts Influence Comparisons in Viewer Takeaways
Paper: Measures of the Benefit of Direct Encoding of Data Deltas for Data Pair Relation Perception
Uncertainty: FiveThirtyEight’s 2020 Election Forecast
Book: The Thinking Eye, the Seeing Brain (James Enns)
Book: Visual Thinking for Design (Colin Ware)
People mentioned: Lace Padilla, Jessica Hullman, Jeff Zacks, Priti Shah, Christie Nothelfer, Cindy Xiong, Matt Kay

storytelling with data: # 49: become a data viz superstar Jan 05, 2022

Establish yourself as a well-respected data visualization practitioner. Cole shares five points that will help you do it. Tune in to hear tips and tactics for setting good goals, learning, evaluating your work, influencing others, and getting the support you need to become—or help members of your team become—a data visualization and storytelling superstar, followed by Q&A.

Subscribe to the SWD YouTube channel
Watch become a data viz superstar part 1 to see Cole illustrate a progression along the graph spectrum
Listen to podcast episode 14: learning data viz
For more on OKRs, listen to podcast episode 13: goals like Google
Download the Big Picture worksheet
Join the SWD community; share your goal in your member profile

storytelling with data: # 48: the challenges of change Dec 07, 2021

Have you encountered challenges in your attempts to drive change with data visualization? In this episode, Cole talks with SWD’s newest data storyteller, Amy Esselman, about the difficulties that can arise when you try to impact people’s perceptions and behaviors. You’ll hear about Amy’s research on the status quo bias and her encounters with it in real life. Tune in also for a conversation about the human side of data, developing empathy for those you aim to influence, and practical strategies for overcoming common barriers to change.

Related links:

Follow Amy: LinkedIn | Twitter
Amy’s research: A Study of Status Quo Bias in Data Visualization
Article: the old way is better
Video: overcoming resistance
Book: Nudge (Thaler & Sunstein)
Share your stories & strategies in the SWD community conversation on change

storytelling with data: #47 the art of the interview Nov 17, 2021

Fresh off a successful search to expand the SWD team, Cole chats with SWD advisor, husband Randy Knaflic, about a critical part of the hiring process: interviewing. Randy shares tips learned and stories lived over a career of hiring talent, from Google to SpaceX to storytelling with data. From showing compassion for a nerve-racked candidate to strategies for thoughtfully crafting and effectively addressing interview questions—whether interviewer or candidate—there’s something for everyone in this episode.

Subscribe to the SWD YouTube channel
Watch become a data viz superstar part 1 to see Cole illustrate a data viz progression
Listen to podcast episode 14: learning data viz
For more on OKRs, listen to podcast episode 13: goals like Google

storytelling with data: #46 questions about questions Sep 23, 2021

"There's so much value to be gained in the exchange that happens after someone asks a really good question." The Q&A portion of a presentation is important, but the uncertainty can also be intimidating. When should you solicit questions, and for how long? What do you do when a query is off-topic? What if you don't know the answer? Tune in to hear Cole and Alex talk about preparing for successful audience interactions, including strategies for navigating tricky situations. Cole also answers listener inquiries about presenting data visualizations and keeping an audience engaged.

Upcoming Milwaukee workshop (use discount code PODCAST10)
Podcast: it depends!
Blog post: power pairing of color and words

storytelling with data: #45 the power of post-its Jul 08, 2021

Tune in to hear Cole discuss one of her favorite low-tech planning strategies: storyboarding. Small, sticky, and sublimely potent when used well—she details her penchant for post-it notes and process of using them to brainstorm, edit, and solicit feedback to create shorter, targeted, and generally more effective communications.

Article: give it time

Book: Info We Trust by RJ Andrews

Book: Let’s Practice! by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

Book: The Big Picture by Steve Wexler

Conversation: my bars don’t start at zero

Exercise: storyboard YOUR project

July 2021 virtual event: a tale of two audiences

SWD community: sign up, explore the starter guide

TC19 presentation: low-tech SUPERPOWERS for data storytelling

Tool: Miro (virtual whiteboard)

Upcoming workshops: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops (use discount code PODCAST10)

storytelling with data: #44 The Big Picture with Steve Wexler May 18, 2021

Cole talks with professional “chart looker-atter” Steve Wexler, about his new book The Big Picture: How to Use Data Visualization to Make Better Decisions—Faster. Tune in for a conversation centered around evangelizing the transformative power of data visualization in an organization, including the value of visualizing for “aha!” (not “ooh and aah”), increasing data fluency, and the importance of collaborating with stakeholders for better results. Also hear Steve’s view on why several highly-lauded historical graphs aren’t ones he’d recommend emulating, whether dashboards can tell a story, and more.

LINKS:

Buy Steve’s new book! The Big Picture | download a sample

Follow Steve: @datarevelations | www.datarevelations.com

More by Steve: The Big Book of Dashboards

storytelling with data: #43 misleading graphs May 06, 2021

A good data visualization can reveal and communicate insights. But bad graphs abound. In this episode, Cole chats with Ben Jones about misleading graphs. They discuss a number of common issues, including missorted time, miscalculated area, going against expected norms, spurious correlations, and more. Tune in for tips on how to read graphs and spot issues and avoid being duped, as well as strategies to consider when graphing data so the visualizations you create don’t inadvertently misinform.

LINKS:

Ben Jones | @dataremixed | Data Literacy

Books by Ben mentioned: Learning to See Data, Avoiding Data Pitfalls

Ben’s repository of graphical gaffes: What NOT to Do

Book: Mind in Motion (Barbara Tversky)

Book: Graphic Methods for Presenting Facts (Williard C. Brinton)

Article: Linear vs. Quadratic Change (Robert Kosara)

Article: Why not to use two axes, and what to do instead (Lisa Charlotte Rost)

Article: The public do not understand logarithmic graphs used to portray COVID-19

Site: ourworldindata.org

Site: spurious correlations

Site/books: Calling Bullshit (Carl Bergstrom & Jevin West)

Tweet/graph: Who emits the most? (Greta Thunberg)

Resource: Ben’s “16 chart reading tips” checklist

SWD workshops: see upcoming dates & register (use discount code PODCAST10 at checkout)

storytelling with data: #42 there is still an art to feedback Mar 11, 2021

Giving good feedback to others—when done well—can help you sharpen your own thinking and approaches for visualizing and communicating with data. We’ll start with this critical topic in our new 10-week course, so it seemed like the perfect timing to repost the original episode of the storytelling with data podcast. I discuss the value of giving and receiving data visualization feedback and potential problem areas to avoid. Hear The Economist’s eloquent response to critique of one of their graphs, plus answers to reader questions on when to use graphs, considerations with dashboards, and data viz book recommendations (updated with some recent publications!).

MENTIONED LINKS:

10-week course & upcoming workshops: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

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

Book: storytelling with data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

Book: WSJ Guide to Information Graphics by Dona Wong

Book: Show Me the Numbers by Stephen Few

Book: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte

Book: Avoiding Data Pitfalls by Ben Jones

Book: Better Data Visualizations by Jonathan Schwabish

Book: Let’s Practice! by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

Resource: SWD community

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com or start a conversation in SWD community

storytelling with data: #41 maps with Kenneth Field Mar 04, 2021

“You don’t have to be a cartographer to make a great map.” Cole talks with cartographer Kenneth Field, author of the award-winning book, Cartography. Tune in to hear the thought process for visualizing data when the “where” matters, including different types of maps, how purpose and audience should drive design decisions, and whether there’s any such thing as a truly accurate map. Plus, learn how technology has compressed the mapmaking process (for better and worse)—from graphicacy to objectivity and ethics, it’s an episode not to miss!

LINKS:

Follow Ken: @kennethfield | carto.maps.arcgis.com

Buy Ken’s book: Cartography

Also mentioned: How to Lie with Maps (Monmonier)

Non-cartographers who made exceptional maps: Charles Minard (map), Florence Nightingale (map), Harry Beck (map)

storytelling with data: #40 Data Sketches with Shirley Wu & Nadieh Bremer Feb 15, 2021

“For data visualization, you don’t need to be an artist to make good sketches.” Cole talks with Data Sketches authors, Shirley Wu and Nadieh Bremer, about their multi-year project that has been turned into a beautiful new book. Listen as they discuss their exploration of the creative side of data visualization through colors, shapes, math, code, and storytelling. Tune in to learn why you should give a 4-year old a watercolor set, the power of a rainbow palette, using flowers to visualize data, and much more.

LINKS:

Data Sketches: buy on Amazon | datasketch.es | @datasketches

Follow Shirley: shirleywu.studio | @sxywu

Follow Nadieh: visualcinnamon.com | @NadiehBremer

Projects shown/discussed: Nadieh’s Lord of the Rings | Shirley’s Film Flowers

storytelling with data: #39 Better Data Visualizations with Jon Schwabish Jan 21, 2021

Cole talks with Jon Schwabish about his latest book, Better Data Visualizations. Tune in to hear about Jon’s goal to make people aware of a wider array of graphs, which less common graphs he wishes people would use more, his favorite Sankey diagram, and how Luxembourg highlighted an important lesson about maps. Jon also addresses viewer questions on fact-checking, communicating qualitative data, and his work on racial equity in data visualization, including things we should all be thinking about when we make graphs.

Pre-order: Better Data Visualizations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks

Other books by Jon: Better Presentations, Elevate the Debate

Follow Jon: @jschwabish | www.policyviz.com | Data@Urban

Other books mentioned: Storyteller’s Secret, Resonate, Slide:ology, Presentation Zen, How Charts Lie, Avoiding Data Pitfalls

People mentioned: Kim Rees, Ann Emery, RJ Andrews, Moritz Stefaner, Nadieh Bremer, Pedro Cruz

Jon's 2014 article “An Economist’s Guide to Visualizing Data”

Jon’s projects: The Graphic Continuum, One Chart at a Time video series

Exploratory vs. explanatory: Form and Function: Let Your Audience’s Needs Drive Your Data Visualization Choices

Sankey diagram from Reddit: How 52 Ninth-Graders Spell Camouflage

Interactive Sankey from The Pudding: The Gyllenhaal Experiment

Medium article: "Word Clouds: We Can’t Make Them Go Away, So Let’s Improve Them" by Marti Hearst

Research resource: Our World In Data

Medium article: "Applying Racial Equity Awareness in Data Visualization" by Jon Schwabish and Alice Feng

storytelling with data: #38 hi, my name is... Jan 11, 2021

Being able to introduce yourself eloquently and in a way that captures and keeps your intended audience’s attention is a hugely important thing. Yet, we don’t commonly devote a lot of time or thought to planning how we do this. In this episode, Cole shares the process that she and the storytelling with data team used to create their intros, plus shares the steps you can use to form your own inspirational introduction. She also addresses listener questions on dot plots, the audience constraint, and tips for slowing down when presenting.

Mentioned Links:

Workshops: storytellingwithdata.com/custom-workshops

Worksheet: the Big Idea worksheet

Exercise: storyboard YOUR project

Article: the structure(s) of story

Exercise: craft your intro

Challenge: let’s plot with a dot

Article: what is a dot plot?

Resource: SWD chart guide

Podcast: it’s for THEM

Conversation: slowing it down

Video: presenting data

Ask a question: start a community conversation

Current challenge: visualize your resume

Live podcast with Jon Schwabish: register

Virtual event (1/26): become a data viz superstar

Go premium! premium community membership

storytelling with data: #37 it's for THEM Dec 09, 2020

How can you get people’s attention on what you want to share and drive the action you seek? Carefully consider your audience. In this episode, Cole dives deep on audience, discussing ways to identify who they are and prioritize their needs, strategies for approaching the challenging but common case of the mixed audience, and tips for getting to know an unfamiliar audience. She also addresses listener questions on grad school, gauging data storytelling success, and innovation in data visualization.

LINKS:

Book: storytelling with data: Let’s Practice!

Exercises: community.storytellingwithdata.com/exercises

Worksheet: the Big Idea worksheet

Webinars: storytellingwithdata.com/webinars

Conversation: contemplating grad school

Conversation: efficacy of data storytelling

Challenge: xenographics

Challenge: critique then (re)create

Virtual event (12/14): member makeovers

Go premium! premium community membership

storytelling with data: #36 presenting data Nov 10, 2020

When communicating data in a meeting or presentation, YOU play a very important role. How can you talk about your data in a way that makes others want to listen? Tune in to this special episode, excerpted from a recent virtual event, about presenting data. Cole shares practical tips for rehearsing aloud, planning how you’ll start and end, harnessing the power of your voice, and the important role of feedback for refining your presentation skills.

LINKS:

Become an SWD community premium member

Video: presenting data

More resources at storytellingwithdata.com

storytelling with data: #35 a conversation with Maarten Lambrechts Oct 28, 2020

A xenographic is simply a chart type not seen before, and in this episode, Cole talks with data journalist and designer Maarten Lambrechts, creator of xeno.graphics. They discuss having an open mindset for weird graphs, pushing boundaries to elevate graphicacy, and the value of bringing strange data visualizations mainstream. Tune in to also hear about Maarten’s experience as a data visualization freelancer, the important role of the online portfolio, and how a relentless focus on the end user helps drive smart data visualization design.

LINKS:

Follow Maarten: @maartenzam | maartenlambrechts.com

Explore: xeno.graphics

Tools: RAWGraphs, R (ggplot), Javascript, D3

Graphics: NYT graphics, Washington Post, Financial Times, FiveThirtyEight, Die Zeit, Berliner Morgenpost

Upcoming conferences: IEEE VIS (Oct 25-30), S-H-O-W (Nov 27-28)

storytelling with data: #34 a conversation with John Zeratsky Sep 24, 2020

With days defined by distraction, how can we solve big problems and make time for what matters? Cole talks with technology designer and author of Sprint and Make Time, John Zeratsky, about the power of focus for getting things done. John details the design sprint process perfected at Google Ventures—detailing the value of “working alone, together” to generate better ideas, the benefits of prototyping and testing with real customers, particularly when the stakes are high, and much more. He also shares patterns uncovered from successful sprints that can be applied to everyday work. Tune in to learn why we shouldn’t rely on willpower to focus, how to create barriers to distraction, and the satisfaction you can reap by proactively designing your day.

MENTIONED LINKS:

Follow John: @jazer | johnzeratsky.com

Book: Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems & Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

Book: Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day

Online course: The Official Sprint Bootcamp (discount code SWD20)

storytelling with data: #33 the power of drawing with Catherine Madden Aug 20, 2020

“Creativity is not stopping at the 1st or 2nd or 3rd iteration. Let’s create a ton of spaghetti and throw it at the wall—eventually something will stick.” Cole talks with illustrator, designer, and facilitator, Catherine Madden, about the power of drawing to think, define, generate ideas, collaborate, and ensure all voices are heard. Catherine shares tactics that get everyone sketching, from doodle birds to Sh*tty First Draft Parties, and discusses why pencils are on her forbidden materials list. They also chat about the value of the shared display, plus more pragmatic tips and tools for effectively facilitating in a virtual setting.

LINKS:

Follow Catherine: @catmule (Twitter) | @catmule (Instagram) | catherinemadden.com

Learn with Catherine: catherinemadden.com/learn

Tutorial: how to display your iPad in Zoom

Video: displaying webcam so iPad is not the shared display

Select images from Catherine (including visual thinking download)

Tools mentioned: Paper, Mural

Course: Foundations of Data Equity

storytelling with data: #32 a conversation with Andy Kirk Jun 25, 2020

“Visualization is a game of decisions.” In this episode, Cole chats with data visualization consultant, teacher, researcher, and author, Andy Kirk. Hear about topics ranging from what can be learned from cartoons and other unexpected sources of inspiration to the importance of curiosity, practice, and editorial judgement for taking work from good to fantastic. They also discuss Andy’s blog series, little of visualization design, his new podcast/video series, Explore Explain, and answer viewer questions on creating “wow” designs, the role of the data viz consultant, and more.

LINKS:

Follow Andy: @visualisingdata | visualisingdata.com

Book: Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design

Blog series: little of visualization design (discussed: axis line fading, colour key titles, reset button, framing containers)

Podcast/video series: Explore Explain (discussed: ”Coronavirus tracked” with John Burn-Murdoch)

storytelling with data: #31 presenting virtually with Andy Cotgreave Jun 03, 2020

Tune in to this lively conversation, where Cole chats with The Big Book of Dashboard author and Tableau evangelist, Andy Cotgreave, about optimizing presentation content and style for the virtual environment. From an “on-air” lightbulb to keep the kids out to practical tips for keeping energy high and sessions engaging, this is an episode not to miss! Hear about favorite interaction strategies and equipment, plus learn how refining your approach through practice, feedback, and thoughtful experimentation can help you increase your effectiveness—in the virtual setting, and beyond.

LINKS:

Follow Andy: @acotgreave | www.gravyanecdote.com

Book: The Big Book of Dashboards

BBOD authors debate: Chart Chat

Tableau series: If Data Could Talk

BBC’s The Public Philosopher

Image: Andy’s set up

Image: Cole’s set up

NEW! Premium community members can watch the podcast

storytelling with data: #30 influencing change for data storytelling May 22, 2020

What should we do when we believe others should place more value on effective data storytelling than they think they should? Don’t fight every fight, augment rather than replace, and work to understand what’s driving resistance so you can be more nuanced in how you address it. Tune in to hear more on these and additional strategies for influencing change among colleagues, stakeholders, and leadership. Cole also answers listener questions on showing binary data over time, gridlines in graphs, and creating a data visualization portfolio.

Mentioned Links:Join: SWD community! use group code PODCAST

Book: storytelling with data: Let’s Practice!

Exercise: the Big Idea for your project

Conversation: your favorite podcasts

Upcoming live event: using story in business

Go premium! premium community membership

storytelling with data: #29 think like a reporter Apr 17, 2020

Lights, camera, action! Tune in to hear Cole, Randy and the entire SWD team chat with Kristen Johnson, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing at Wingate University and prior news reporter and executive producer. Given today’s need to communicate virtually, many of us are becoming mini-news reporters from our makeshift home studios and in this segment, you’ll get a variety of pro tips on how to do this successfully. From pragmatic considerations on clothing, light, and camera setup to strategies for practicing and getting comfortable talking to a lens: this episode has something for anyone who finds themselves communicating via camera.

For those wondering, the zoom recording didn't turn out (we had the wrong view settings, apparently). So, unfortunately, there is not a Zoom video recording.

NEW! May 7th travel-free public workshop

Products mentioned: ring light, Samson microphone, Mac StudioFix

storytelling with data: #29 think like a reporter Apr 17, 2020

Lights, camera, action! Tune in to hear Cole, Randy and the entire SWD team chat with Kristen Johnson, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing at Wingate University and prior news reporter and executive producer. Given today’s need to communicate virtually, many of us are becoming mini-news reporters from our makeshift home studios and in this segment, you’ll get a variety of pro tips on how to do this successfully. From pragmatic considerations on clothing, light, and camera setup to strategies for practicing and getting comfortable talking to a lens: this episode has something for anyone who finds themselves communicating via camera.

For those wondering, the zoom recording didn't turn out (we had the wrong view settings, apparently). So, unfortunately, there is not a Zoom video recording.

NEW! May 7th travel-free public workshop

Products mentioned: ring light, Samson microphone, Mac StudioFix

storytelling with data: #28 WFH with SWD Mar 22, 2020

The storytelling with data team has been a work-from-home team since the beginning and in this episode, Randy and data storytellers Elizabeth, Mike, and Alex discuss how to be productive, stay engaged and maintain sanity when working remotely from others. Tune in to hear learnings ranging from the importance of a comfortable chair to pro-tips for video conferencing and staying connected with colleagues. With a thoughtful approach, working from home means you can fit work into the rhythm of life and measure success based on accomplishments, rather than hours in the office.

LINKS:

Podcast: goals like Google

Learn (organizations): travel-free workshop

Learn (individuals): live stream workshop

Connect & hone skills: SWD community

storytelling with data: #27 what is data visualization Feb 22, 2020

Why do we visualize data and what makes data visualization good? Tune in to hear Cole share her thoughts on these and related questions. She also answers listener questions about chronological versus lead-with-ending ordering for presentations, what to do when trying to show many data series in a line graph, and resources for communicating risk in a way that is easy to understand.

LINKS:

Join us at the Austin Public workshop on Tuesday, March 10th - enter promo code podcast10 to receive 10% off!

Podcast: What makes a visualization memorable? with Michelle Borkin (Data Stories)

Conversation: What is the best balance between engaging & informing? (Charlie Hutcheson)

Visual: What makes a good data visualization? (David McCandless)

Conversation: Resources for communicating risk in a way that is easy to understand

Medium post: Florence Nightingale is a design hero (RJ Andrews)

Exercise: Let’s draw!

Book: Data Points (Nathan Yau)

SWDchallenge: small multiples

Workshops: 2020 public workshop schedule, custom workshops & webinars

Join the SWD community!

storytelling with data: #26 Ben Jones and Avoiding Data Pitfalls Jan 27, 2020

While in Seattle recently, Cole sat down with the author of recently published Avoiding Data Pitfalls, Ben Jones. They discuss missteps using data, why they are an expected part of our evolutionary process, and the role that human intuition plays in the analysis and synthesis of data. Listen also to Ben’s journey from engineer to Tableau to founder and CEO of Data Literacy, plus practical tips for interviewing your data, exploring its contours, and increasing data fluency for yourself and your team.

LINKS:

Books by Ben: Avoiding Data Pitfalls, Communicating Data with Tableau

Follow Ben: @dataremixed | dataremixed.com

Learn more about Data Literacy

storytelling with data: #25 Better Presentations with Jon Schwabish Dec 17, 2019

When in DC recently, Cole visited the Urban Institute to talk with Jon Schwabish, author of Better Presentations and editor of the soon-to-be-released book, Elevate the Debate. Tune in to hear them discuss the importance of meeting people where they are, the Pyramid Philosophy for ensuring communications are rooted in sophisticated analysis, plus presentation tips on where to start, incremental slide improvements, and finishing touches. Giving a presentation is like selling an idea—it’s a skill that must be learned and Jon shares ways we can improve our own work and influence those around us.

LINKS:

Pre-order: Elevate the Debate

Book: Better Presentations

Follow Jon: @jschwabish | www.policyviz.com | Jon’s collection of warning signs

Learn more about the Urban Institute

People mentioned: Kim Rees, Andy Kirk, Ann Emery, Hans Rosling, Nancy Duarte, Dave Connell, Charles Schwab, RJ Andrews

Image resources: Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay

storytelling with data: #24 Andy, Jeff & Steve and The Big Book of Dashboards Nov 18, 2019

Backstage at the Tableau Conference, Cole sat down with the three authors of The Big Book of Dashboards for a lively conversation. Listen to their chat about the conference, their book, and more—including Jeff’s six design tips, Steve’s goal of creating the greatest degree of understanding with the least amount of effort, and Andy’s view on the role of culture and what organizations should do before investing in a dashboarding tool to help ensure success.

LINKS:

Book: The Big Book of Dashboards

Follow Andy: @acotgreave | www.gravyanecdote.com

Follow Jeff: @HighVizAbility | www.dataplusscience.com

Follow Steve: @datarevelations | www.datarevelations.com

storytelling with data: #23 Nancy Duarte & DataStory Oct 16, 2019

From graphs made with electric tape and exacto knives at NASA to CEO of a renowned Silicon Valley communications firm—in this episode, Cole talks with best-selling author Nancy Duarte about her new book, DataStory, and related topics. Tune in to hear about Nancy’s hunt for unicorns, why bridging the chasm between exploration and explanation is good for your career, and the Duarte magic that turned thousands of slides into three simple graphs.

Show Links:

Follow Nancy: @nancyduarte | duarte.com

New book: DataStory

Other books: Resonate | Illuminate | Slide:ology | HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations

storytelling with data: #22 Alberto Cairo & How Charts Lie Oct 09, 2019

If good graphs empower us to pose good questions, what happens on the dark side of data viz? In this episode, Cole talks with Alberto Cairo about his new book, How Charts Lie. Their conversation delves into how information designers and consumers are both to blame as well as how mindfulness relates to chart making and interpretation. Tune in also to hear tips to keep from spreading misinformation, why “essay” is a beautiful word, and Alberto’s optimism for the future of data visualization.

LINKS:

Order How Charts Lie

Follow Alberto: albertocairo.com | @albertocairo

Book: Factfulness (Rosling)

Book: For Argument’s Sake (Stafford)

Book: How to Lie with Maps (Monmonier)

Book: Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) (Tavris & Aronson)

Book: Naked Statistics (Wheelan)

Book: Picturing the Uncertain World (Wainer)

Book: The Enigma of Reason (Mercier & Sperber)

Book: The Righteous Mind (Haidt)

Book: Thinking Fast & Slow (Kahneman)

Visual essays: The Pudding

storytelling with data: #21 a special conversation with... Sep 22, 2019

The sloppy copy, picture power, and more about Cole’s new book in this special episode of the SWD podcast.

LINKS:

Pre-order storytelling with data: Let’s Practice!

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #20 think like a designer Sep 09, 2019

Broadcasting from Seville, Spain—a city where modern and traditional meet in design—in this episode, Cole chats with three designers from digital production studio, Z1. The conversation flows from empathy in design to the importance of research and user feedback for de-risking projects and building thoughtful products to approaches when your client doesn’t know what they want (or wants everything!). You’ll also hear great tips on fostering a critique mindset, applying Fitts’s law, using constraints to prioritize, and being adaptive to new technologies.

storytelling with data: #19 ask smart questions Aug 24, 2019

Asking good questions can help improve our own and others’ work: both when exploring and explaining data. Tune in to hear Cole cover five smart queries to pose and answer during the analytical process and five more to consider when you are getting ready to explain that data to others. Cole also answers listener questions on collecting requirements for good data viz, what to do when asked to prove something with data that doesn’t pan out, and strategies for effectively presenting remotely.

Links:

Register for final 2019 public workshop

Pre-order storytelling with data: Let’s Practice!

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #18 dataklubben replay Jul 07, 2019

While recently in Copenhagen, Cole had a great chat with dataklubben podcasters Søren Christian Søndergaard Poulsen and Jens-Jacob Aarup. Tune in to hear about how story can help save us from death by data, the importance of starting low tech, and ideas for shifting organizational culture to become truly data-driven. Cole also talks about her soon-to-be-released second book, storytelling with data: let’s practice!

LINKS:

Register for final 2019 public workshop

Pre-order storytelling with data: let’s practice!

Check out the dataklubben podcast

storytelling with data: #17 which graph should I use? May 27, 2019

It sounds like a simple question, yet it’s one with which many people grapple: how do I best visualize my data? In this episode, Cole reviews the most common types of data visualizations used in a business setting and discusses use cases and considerations with each. Tune in also to hear Cole address listener questions on graphing survey results, Tableau vs. PowerBI and how to influence a client who wants default graphs rather than a data-driven story.

LINKS:

SWD blog post: grables and taphs

#SWDchallenge recap: plots with dots

#SWDchallenge recap: 88 annotated line graphs

Curved Discussion post: lines vs. bars

Flourish graph: GOT bar chart race

Data Revelations post: rethinking the divergent stacked bar

BBC Video: Hans Rosling bubblegraph

Tweet: bubblegraph GIF

Map: 100 years of platypus sightings

Map: pasture and crop

Resource: xeno.graphics

#SWDchallenge recap: square area graphs

Twitter thread: Tableau vs. PowerBI

Register: May 30th (free!) live event

Register: upcoming European 1-day workshops

May #SWDchallenge recap: artisanal data

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #16 develop your team Apr 09, 2019

Honing your own data visualization and storytelling skills is one thing. But what about when you want to help others around you? In this episode, Cole discusses what you can do—whether a manager interested in developing your team or an individual interesting in influencing those around you—to cultivate organizational capabilities for effective data storytelling. Cole also addresses listener questions on when we should use graphs, data viz tools for beginners, and getting effective feedback.

LINKS:

We’re hiring! SWD careers

Interesting team set ups? Email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Article: A Framework to Give Better Design Feedback: Analyze, Discuss, Suggest

April #SWDchallenge: emulate

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #15 a conversation with RJ Andrews Feb 27, 2019

In this episode, Cole talks with data storyteller and author of recently published Info We Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data—RJ Andrews. They converse over coffee in his San Francisco kitchen, discussing the book, RJ’s unique creative process (including the 300+ hand drawn images that fill the book) and sources of inspiration for data storytelling.

Listening time: 1:03:57

LINKS:

Buy the book! Info we Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data

Follow @infowetrust | infowetrust.com

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #14 learning dataviz Feb 05, 2019

How did you learn to visualize data? Professionals in this space hail from a wide variety of backgrounds and in this episode, you’ll hear a dozen responses to this question, from artists, mathematicians and more. Listen to these industry leaders’ captivating stories and anecdotes—while learning lessons that you can apply to hone your own data visualization skills.

Moritz Stefaner: @moritz_stefaner | truth-and-beauty.net

Andy Cotgreave: @acotgreave | gravyanecdote.com

Jen Christiansen: @ChristiansenJen | jenchristiansen.com

Alberto Cairo: @albertocairo | albertocairo.com

RJ Andrews: @infowetrust | infowetrust.com

Jeffrey Shaffer: @HighVizAbility | dataplusscience.com

Shirley Wu: @sxywu | sxywu.com

Jon Schwabish: @jschwabish | policyviz.com

Naomi B. Robbins: @nbrgraphs | nbr-graphs.com

Steve Wexler: @VizBizWiz | datarevelations.com

Robert Kosara: @eagereyes | eagereyes.org

Elijah Meeks: @Elijah_Meeks | elijahmeeks.com

storytelling with data: #13 goals like Google Jan 08, 2019

Why do new year’s resolutions often fail? How do we set good goals? In this episode, Cole discusses the quarterly OKR goal-setting process she learned at Google and how it can be used to foster intentional actions, help achieve major accomplishments, and contribute to success—in work, and in life! Cole also answers listener questions on graphical literacy, how to convince someone that story isn’t fluff, and tips for ensuring success when crafting data stories that someone else will present.

Video: How Google Sets Goals

Upcoming public workshops: 2019 schedule

January #SWDchallenge: let’s try something new!

storytelling with data: book downloads

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @randyknaflic

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #12 a conversation with Elijah Meeks Dec 04, 2018

What is the Third Wave of Data Visualization? Elijah Meeks believes it’s happening now and that it means changing constructs and possibly priorities for practitioners. In this episode, Cole sits down with Elijah in Miami after his closing keynote presentation at the Tapestry conference. They discuss his presentation, moving past optimizing for a single chart, building trust to push boundaries, teaching stakeholders data literacy, and more.

LINKS:

Tapestry conference keynote: link to video to be added when available

Book: D3.js in Action

Data visualization survey: 2018 results

Follow Elijah: @Elijah-Meeks | Medium | Github

storytelling with data: book downloads

December #SWDchallenge: visualize the holidays

Upcoming workshops: Q1 2019 schedule

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #11 #MakeoverMonday Nov 14, 2018

It’s a community project, it’s a book, it may even be a way to land a new job! Hear Cole talk with coathors Andy Kriebel and Eva Murray about their writing process and lessons from #MakeoverMonday: Improving How We Visualize and Analyze Data, One Chart at a Time, including the importance of simplifying and iterating, why feedback posed as a question can be less intimidating, and experimentation as a way to learn how to better visualize data.

LINKS:

Book: #MakeoverMonday: Improving How We Visualize & Analyze Data, One Chart at a Time

#MakeoverMonday: the project, the gallery, the data, upcoming webinars & workshops

Follow Andy: @VizWizBI | LinkedIn

Follow Eva: @TriMyData | LinkedIn

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #10 right place right graph Oct 16, 2018

Could the process of choosing where to live give us some insights on choosing the “right” graph? When it comes to your data presentations, how do you choose the right graph? Is there even such a thing as the “right” graph? In this episode, Cole shares some updates on life changes, discusses the concept of graphing for exploring and understanding your data, graphing for communicating, and some tools that may make your process for landing on an effective visual more efficient. She answers listener Q&A on non-zero baselines, when to use an axis vs. when to label data directly, and how to know when your visualization is complete.

Listening time: 32:58

LINKS:

Zan Armstrong’s video: include link to Zan’s UW talk

Elijah Meeks’ Medium article: What charts do

Juice Analytics Chart Chooser

Ann Emery’s Essentials Chart Choosing Tool

Jon Schwabish’s Graphic Continuum Poster & Cards

Andy Kirk’s Chartmaker Directory

Browse the archives: #SWDchallenge

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #9 Data Stories replay Oct 09, 2018

After a brief pause, the storytelling with data podcast is almost back with a replay of a recent podcast Cole did with Moritz Stefaner and Enrico Bertini of Data Stories. Listening time: 37:02 Follow on Twitter: @datastories, @moritz_stefaner, @FILWD

storytelling with data: #8 the many myths of data visualization Jun 19, 2018

Do graphs always have to have a zero baseline? Are pie charts evil? Is there a single, “right” answer? In this episode, Cole discusses a number of myths and a few rules in data visualization. She also answers listener Q&A on how to deal with presenting materials you aren’t necessarily proud of, strategies for graphing uneven time intervals, and tips for teams interested in developing data visualization skills.

LINKS:

June #SWDchallenge: slopegraphs

Blog post: connecting...the dots

Podcast: Jon & I chat about non-zero baselines

Blog post: bar charts must have a zero baseline

Blog post: a little math on non-zero baselines

Study: an illustrated tour of the pie charts study results

Blog post: F**k it, let’s use pie charts

Podcast: a conversation with Alberto Cairo (Episode 7)

Book: Data Points

Book: Factfulness

Medium series: Data Visualization, Fast & Slow

Podcast: constraints (Episode 5)

New blog page: #SWDchallenge

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #7 a conversation with alberto cairo May 29, 2018

Truth or Lie? It isn’t that simple or binary when it comes to visualizing and communicating with data: there is a spectrum. In this episode, Cole talks with special guest, famed professor, author, and data journalist Alberto Cairo, about truth with a lowercase “t,” his efforts to bring graphical literacy to the public through the Visual Trumpery tour and his upcoming book, parallels between data visualization & writing, and more.

LINKS:

Website: albertocairo.com

Blog: thefunctionalart.com

Twitter: @albertocairo

Video: Visual Trumpery (Ihaka lecture)

Article: Alberto’s collaboration with Google News Lab

Google News Lab’s Data Visualization Projects

Upcoming MOOC: data visualization for storytelling & discovery

Tool: InZight for Data Analysis

storytelling with data: #6 say it out loud Apr 21, 2018

Whether it’s a graph, a slide, a presentation, your message, a story—there can be immense value in talking through it, out loud. In this session, Cole discusses her experiences and the benefits to speaking out loud to refine, practice, and identify better solutions. Cole also answers listener questions on the use of pictures in data visualization, tricks for formatting axis labels, and how to apply data storytelling to augment regular reporting.

LINKS:

Article: The Perks of Talking to Yourself

Study: This time it’s personal: the memory benefit of hearing onesself (related article)

Study: ISOTYPE Visualization – Working Memory, Performance, and Engagement with Pictographs (related post)

Blog post: supercategory axis labels in Excel

Blog post: gridlines are gratuitous

Blog post: #SWDchallenge square area graphs (recap coming soon!)

Workshop/training inquiries: inquiry@storytellingwithdata.com

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #5 the beauty of constraints Mar 24, 2018

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: inquiry@storytellingwithdata.com

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

storytelling with data: #4 it depends... Feb 06, 2018

“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 graphs Recent 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 askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

storytelling with data: #3 how I'm building this Jan 10, 2018

“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 askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

storytelling with data: #2 what is story? Dec 20, 2017

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 askcole@storytellingwithdata.com
Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

storytelling with data: #1 the art of feedback Nov 28, 2017

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.

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Mentioned show links:

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com
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 askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

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