Introduction to Storytelling with Data

How can we create effective data visualizations? In this introduction to storytelling with data, you will learn key guidelines and methods to create an effective data visualization. To start, you need to have a clear goal of what the data visualization is communicating and use good design principles to make it easy for the reader to understand. A communicative goal can come in different forms, such as a client brief, a learning objective, or data insights. A clear goal will help guide you towards the right type of visualization. Once you have a goal to aim for, you can use fundamental guidelines of what makes a good data visualization to help you design a visualization. Based on empirical research, the design guidelines of Decluttering and Focusing your visualization will guide your viewer into seeing the main conclusion quickly. With these key principles, we can create effective data visualizations to tell a story with data and engage your audience.

This event will be led by Elsie Lee-Robbins! Elsie is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Information at the University of Michigan. Her background in Psychology is a foundation to understand the perceptual and cognitive processes of how people read data visualizations. Her research interests are data visualization, human-computer interaction, and decision making. Her academic research explores how to design effective communicative visualizations. She's interested in how data visualization is used as a tool to communicate to a variety of audiences for a variety of goals.