Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of explanatory analysis in data communication?
What is the primary purpose of explanatory analysis in data communication?
- To identify all possible questions.
- To show the audience everything undertaken during the analysis.
- To amass greater amounts of data for future reference.
- To turn data into easily understood information focused on a specific story. (correct)
Before creating data visualizations, it's crucial to understand to whom you are communicating. What insight does understanding your audience provide?
Before creating data visualizations, it's crucial to understand to whom you are communicating. What insight does understanding your audience provide?
- It simplifies the process, leading to a quicker delivery.
- It dictates the color palette that should be used in the visualization.
- It helps identify common ground and tailor the message for effective communication. (correct)
- It determines the software that must be used to create the visualizations.
In the context of data communication, what is the role of "Action" as it pertains to what you're trying to convey?
In the context of data communication, what is the role of "Action" as it pertains to what you're trying to convey?
- It suggests the importance of acting confidently, even when the data is unclear.
- It clarifies what you want your audience to know or do, aligning your communication with their needs. (correct)
- It emphasizes the importance of acting quickly to disseminate information.
- It refers to the specific software actions needed to manipulate data.
Which communication mechanism provides the presenter with the most control over the audience's information intake?
Which communication mechanism provides the presenter with the most control over the audience's information intake?
What is the correct approach, if you are using a non-zero baseline in graphs?
What is the correct approach, if you are using a non-zero baseline in graphs?
Which of the following best describes the concept of a "slideument"?
Which of the following best describes the concept of a "slideument"?
What is the purpose of storyboarding in data communication?
What is the purpose of storyboarding in data communication?
Why does the author suggest avoiding starting storyboarding with presentation software?
Why does the author suggest avoiding starting storyboarding with presentation software?
Why is it important to be concise, when providing the "so-what" of data?
Why is it important to be concise, when providing the "so-what" of data?
In creating communication around data, considering "the Big Idea" is a useful step. What is not a component of "the Big Idea?"
In creating communication around data, considering "the Big Idea" is a useful step. What is not a component of "the Big Idea?"
In the context of graph design, what is emphasized as more important: The X or Y axis, or the information that the graph contains?
In the context of graph design, what is emphasized as more important: The X or Y axis, or the information that the graph contains?
What should a presenter do if it is not appropriate to explicitly recommend action related to data?
What should a presenter do if it is not appropriate to explicitly recommend action related to data?
According to the content's author, what is the right way to test the readability of the graph for a certain audience?
According to the content's author, what is the right way to test the readability of the graph for a certain audience?
Which graph element is most vulnerable to the pitfall that occurs when it doesn't have a zero baseline?
Which graph element is most vulnerable to the pitfall that occurs when it doesn't have a zero baseline?
What does the text suggest that the designer do if the data doesn't warrant a bar, or table?
What does the text suggest that the designer do if the data doesn't warrant a bar, or table?
Which type of graph plots 'continuous data'?
Which type of graph plots 'continuous data'?
When is a slopegraph most useful?
When is a slopegraph most useful?
The text states the need to carefully choose an organization's data's categorical hierarchy to influence what your audience does. Why would this be important?
The text states the need to carefully choose an organization's data's categorical hierarchy to influence what your audience does. Why would this be important?
What is typically the broadest category to the word “graph?”
What is typically the broadest category to the word “graph?”
According to the author, which of these is something to avoid, in the context of graphs?
According to the author, which of these is something to avoid, in the context of graphs?
When using heatmaps instead of tables, how does color work?
When using heatmaps instead of tables, how does color work?
According to Nancy Duarte's book Resonate, what is one component of "The Big Idea"?
According to Nancy Duarte's book Resonate, what is one component of "The Big Idea"?
Why should you use lighter shades of grey over darker shades of grey?
Why should you use lighter shades of grey over darker shades of grey?
How can you implement a better design if the current design has diagonal components.
How can you implement a better design if the current design has diagonal components.
When presenting to an audience that may be skeptical or want to delve into the data details, what should you do?
When presenting to an audience that may be skeptical or want to delve into the data details, what should you do?
What does structuring communications from the beginning, ensure?
What does structuring communications from the beginning, ensure?
In the context of data visualization, what does it mean to shift from simply showing data to 'storytelling with data'?
In the context of data visualization, what does it mean to shift from simply showing data to 'storytelling with data'?
Why should communicators take a more confident stance when making observations and recommendations based on the data?
Why should communicators take a more confident stance when making observations and recommendations based on the data?
If you had three minutes to explain the key insights of your data to an executive, what concept would help you most effectively deliver this information?
If you had three minutes to explain the key insights of your data to an executive, what concept would help you most effectively deliver this information?
What key element does the 'Big Idea' concept bring to data communication?
What key element does the 'Big Idea' concept bring to data communication?
In data communication, what is the purpose of identifying the 'who'?
In data communication, what is the purpose of identifying the 'who'?
When using storyboarding in data communication, what is the suggested approach to begin?
When using storyboarding in data communication, what is the suggested approach to begin?
If you are asked to 'show the data', according to the informal Twitter poll conducted, which emotions are individuals likely to experience?
If you are asked to 'show the data', according to the informal Twitter poll conducted, which emotions are individuals likely to experience?
Why is the ability to tell a story with data becoming more important?
Why is the ability to tell a story with data becoming more important?
What is the key to success in using data to inform better business decisions?
What is the key to success in using data to inform better business decisions?
What prompted the author to develop a course on data visualization at Google?
What prompted the author to develop a course on data visualization at Google?
When creating data visuals, what is the challenge in using Microsoft Excel?
When creating data visuals, what is the challenge in using Microsoft Excel?
The author mentions six lessons of effective storytelling with data; how is this book different from the author's workshops?
The author mentions six lessons of effective storytelling with data; how is this book different from the author's workshops?
What is the recommended approach to bad data?
What is the recommended approach to bad data?
When attempting to engage others in philanthropy around data visualization, one must...
When attempting to engage others in philanthropy around data visualization, one must...
What should be the primary focus when determining how to present data?
What should be the primary focus when determining how to present data?
Why is it advised to use light borders or white space to separate elements in a table?
Why is it advised to use light borders or white space to separate elements in a table?
What is the benefit of incorporating color saturation into heatmaps?
What is the benefit of incorporating color saturation into heatmaps?
What is the visual implication of connecting data points with a line in a line graph?
What is the visual implication of connecting data points with a line in a line graph?
In presenting data regarding time on the horizontal x-axis of a line graph, what should be consistent?
In presenting data regarding time on the horizontal x-axis of a line graph, what should be consistent?
Which technique did the content's author use to make the 'Career development' line segment immediately draw the eye, on a slopegraph about Employee Feedback?
Which technique did the content's author use to make the 'Career development' line segment immediately draw the eye, on a slopegraph about Employee Feedback?
In the context of bar charts, what is the key reason for using a zero baseline?
In the context of bar charts, what is the key reason for using a zero baseline?
What is a strategy to improve stacked bar charts?
What is a strategy to improve stacked bar charts?
When are horizontal bar charts more useful than vertical bar charts?
When are horizontal bar charts more useful than vertical bar charts?
What does the statement from The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, relating to “data-ink ratio,” state?
What does the statement from The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, relating to “data-ink ratio,” state?
How can the Gestalt principle of enclosure help to make clear graphs?
How can the Gestalt principle of enclosure help to make clear graphs?
What is a good way to test if a visual has sufficient white space?
What is a good way to test if a visual has sufficient white space?
Why is it important to limit the amount of elements with nonstrategic contrast?
Why is it important to limit the amount of elements with nonstrategic contrast?
The effectiveness of a communication relies primarily on:
The effectiveness of a communication relies primarily on:
According to the content, what is one of the clear indicators of a bad display?
According to the content, what is one of the clear indicators of a bad display?
With what frequency should you update your style in presenting?
With what frequency should you update your style in presenting?
According to the material, it is said that the story we impart should:
According to the material, it is said that the story we impart should:
In storytelling with data, what's the purpose of a 'call to action'?
In storytelling with data, what's the purpose of a 'call to action'?
Which of the following describes the goal of a clear visual hierarchy?
Which of the following describes the goal of a clear visual hierarchy?
In data visualization, what is a commonly accepted standard practice to adhere to?
In data visualization, what is a commonly accepted standard practice to adhere to?
When creating visuals for an international audience, what should you consider regarding color?
When creating visuals for an international audience, what should you consider regarding color?
In design, what are the 'affordances'?
In design, what are the 'affordances'?
What general recommendation does the article make concerning the design of a table?
What general recommendation does the article make concerning the design of a table?
As a communicator, what should you do if you find yourself having to analyze and present in a singular report (instead of separate report and presentation?)
As a communicator, what should you do if you find yourself having to analyze and present in a singular report (instead of separate report and presentation?)
Why is understanding the relationship with your audience important in data communication?
Why is understanding the relationship with your audience important in data communication?
When is it advisable to foster discussion, instead of recommending explicit actions, based on data?
When is it advisable to foster discussion, instead of recommending explicit actions, based on data?
What is the purpose of identifying what you want your audience to know or do?
What is the purpose of identifying what you want your audience to know or do?
What is the suggested strategy for presenters who are insecure about making recommendations?
What is the suggested strategy for presenters who are insecure about making recommendations?
To ensure clarity and conciseness in your main message, what constraint can be helpful?
To ensure clarity and conciseness in your main message, what constraint can be helpful?
According to the material, what is a risk of ignoring nonsupporting data?
According to the material, what is a risk of ignoring nonsupporting data?
What are some options, if you are asked to deliver a report that normally communicates data along with a presentation?
What are some options, if you are asked to deliver a report that normally communicates data along with a presentation?
What is a key consideration when choosing elements to include in your slides?
What is a key consideration when choosing elements to include in your slides?
What is the recommendation for using borders and shading in tables?
What is the recommendation for using borders and shading in tables?
Why is it important to consider using color saturation in heatmaps?
Why is it important to consider using color saturation in heatmaps?
In the discussion regarding chart axes vs data labels, which of the following should be considered when choosing which to use?
In the discussion regarding chart axes vs data labels, which of the following should be considered when choosing which to use?
When designing bar charts, what should be the appropriate sizing of the bars and white space?
When designing bar charts, what should be the appropriate sizing of the bars and white space?
When using time on the horizontal x-axis of a basic line graph, which guideline should always be followed?
When using time on the horizontal x-axis of a basic line graph, which guideline should always be followed?
According to Gestalt principles, how can you show that some components on a graph more closely belong together?
According to Gestalt principles, how can you show that some components on a graph more closely belong together?
According to best practices, how should you align text labels in a presentation or document?
According to best practices, how should you align text labels in a presentation or document?
What does the author say is the lesson of the story about nearly mis-sizing a dashboard?
What does the author say is the lesson of the story about nearly mis-sizing a dashboard?
When should you introduce "the story", according to the author?
When should you introduce "the story", according to the author?
What is the ultimate goal of the narrative structure?
What is the ultimate goal of the narrative structure?
Other that PowerPoint, what does the material recommend for creating stories?
Other that PowerPoint, what does the material recommend for creating stories?
Aside from Microsoft PowerPoint, what other actions should be taken to emphasize preattentive attributes?
Aside from Microsoft PowerPoint, what other actions should be taken to emphasize preattentive attributes?
Flashcards
Storytelling with Data
Storytelling with Data
A guide for business professionals to tell stories effectively with data using data visualization.
Exploratory Analysis
Exploratory Analysis
Analysis done to explore data and discover noteworthy insights to highlight.
Explanatory Analysis
Explanatory Analysis
Analysis done to communicate specific insights that you want your audience to know.
Importance of Context
Importance of Context
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3-Minute Story & Big Idea
3-Minute Story & Big Idea
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Storyboarding
Storyboarding
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Tables in Data
Tables in Data
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Heatmap
Heatmap
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Graphs in Data
Graphs in Data
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Scatterplot
Scatterplot
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Line graph
Line graph
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Slopegraph
Slopegraph
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Bar chart
Bar chart
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Stacked Vertical Bar Chart
Stacked Vertical Bar Chart
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Waterfall chart
Waterfall chart
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Horizontal bar chart
Horizontal bar chart
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Square area graph
Square area graph
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3-Dimensional Graphs
3-Dimensional Graphs
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Secondary y-axis
Secondary y-axis
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Reduce Clutter
Reduce Clutter
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Gestalt Principles
Gestalt Principles
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Alignment for Visuals
Alignment for Visuals
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Use of White Space
Use of White Space
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Strategic Use of Contrast
Strategic Use of Contrast
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Preattentive attributes
Preattentive attributes
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Size in Visualizations
Size in Visualizations
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Color in Visualizations
Color in Visualizations
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Position on Page
Position on Page
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Use of Story
Use of Story
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Keep To Time
Keep To Time
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Data Visualization
Data Visualization
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Study Notes
Overview
- This chapter introduces the book Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
- It's a data visualization guide for business professionals
Foreword
- Bad presentations overwhelm with too much information, fonts, colors, bullets, and highlights
- Infographics should inform instead of using graphics in the same sense that violence can
- Charts and tables often mislead and confuse those that read them in the press
- Today it is too easy to create a table, chart, or graph with software defaults, with the result that key data is not displayed effectively
- All the information in the world at our fingertips makes communicating harder. Need to filter down to the most important bits
- Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic had a knack for clarity, and helped to create the Google People Analytics team
Book takeaways
- The book presents real-world examples and step-by-step instruction
- It also gives insight into thought processes when it comes to the visual design of information
Examples given
- Volume of tickets
- Survey results regarding science
- Average Retail Product prices per year
Scope of the book
- Written for anyone who needs to communicate something to someone using data.
- It is for analysts, students, manager, philanthropists, and leaders
- Anyone can improve ability to communication effectively with data
- Even those with no background in data visualization
- The author believes that effective data visualization can mean the difference between success and failure
- An effective visualization may help communicate the findings of a study, raise money, or present an idea
What to expect
- Can improve the ability to communicate effectively with data regardless of expertise
- Skills will be helpful in several roles
- The reader will be able to turn data and analytics into targeted hiring, engaging and motivating employees, and building effective teams
- The author shares lessons to rid the world of ineffective graphs as learned at Google and in the 21st century
- Teaches the process from Google Project Oxygen
Six key lessons
- Understand the context
- Choose an appropriate visual display
- Eliminate clutter
- Focus attention where it is needed
- Think like a designer
- Tell a story
Illustrative examples
- The book contains case studies of several industries
- Ex: Technology, education, consumer products, and nonprofit sector
- Real-world examples that have been used in workshops, although some data may be changed
- The lessons are chronological in the same way storytelling with data process happens
Chapter summaries
Chapter 1: The Importance of Context
- Addresses key questions like finding the audience and what questions the audience needs answered
- Robust situation understanding leads to great success
Chapter 2: Choosing an Effective Visual
- Deciding how to display the correct data
- There's a list of common visuals used to communicate data in a business setting
- Examples: the simple text, tables, heatmap, line graph, vertical bar chart, etc.
Chapter 3: Clutter is Your Enemy!
- How to identify and remove clutter
- Introduces the Gestalt Principles of Visual Perception and how to apply them
- Discusses alignment, strategy, use of white space, and contrast as components of thoughtful design
Chapter 4: Focus Your Audience's Attention
- Studying how people see and use it to craft their visuals
- Includes a discussion on sight and memory
- Can use "preattentive attributes" like size, color, and position
- Explores directing attention to components and creating a visual hierarchy
Chapter 5: Think Like a Designer
- Discuss traditional design concepts to be applied to communicate data
- Some concepts are: affordances, accessibility, and aesthetics.
- Looks at a number of concepts introduced previously via new light
Chapter 6: Dissecting Model Visuals
- Five exemplary visuals are looked at, discussing thought processes and design choices
- There are decisions regarding type of graph and ordering of the data within the visual
- How to consider emphasizing/de-emphasizing with the line of color, thickness, and relative size
- Discusses effective use of words to title, label, and annotate
Chapter 7: Lessons in Storytelling
- Introducing concepts of storytelling to communicate with data
- Studies concepts from master storytellers
- The way to discuss frameworks, which have a clear beginning, middle, and end
- What the correct strategies for effective storytelling include (repetition, narrative flow, etc.)
Chapter 8: Pulling It All Together
- Following the data storytelling process from start to finish using examples
- Helps understand: context, choosing a visual display, eliminating clutter, drawing attention, thinking like a designer, and telling a story
Chapter 9: Case Studies
- Exploring strategies for tackling common challenges with data across case studies
- Colour considerations
- Strategies for avoiding things like "spaghetti graphs" or pie charts etc
Chapter 10: Final Thoughts
- Data visualization is the intersection of science and art
- There are tips on where to go from here and strategies for upskilling data storytelling with team
- Main lessons are recapped
Important Reminders
- "Who" your audience is and "What" you need them to know are questions to consistently ask
- Being concise, is more challenging than being verbose
- Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic tells stories with data through "storytellingwithdata.com"
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