Data storytelling is one of the few data skills that combines both disciplines of art and science. In this article, I look at the different elements under each discipline and explain how they contribute to crafting and telling data stories effectively.
To become an effective data storyteller, you must shift your mindset from being reporting centered to embracing a different storytelling approach. In this article, I introduce the Insight Funnel and how reports/dashboards complement data stories. Then I explore the six key approach differences between reports/dashboards and data stories.
Recently, an image that associated LEGO bricks with data storytelling went viral on LinkedIn. As a LEGO fan and data storyteller, I decided to take a closer look at the five-step process from raw data to a data story. I developed my own version that I feel corrects some of the flaws in the original image. I believe this analogy can be useful in explaining the process of how a data story comes together.
As a data storyteller, you believe in the persuasive power of visual information. However, many of the popular statistics related to visual communication and perception cannot be trusted due to suspect citations and sources. We need to stop relying on these dubious statistics to preserve the integrity of our visual craft.
Master the art and science of data storytelling—with frameworks and techniques to help you craft compelling stories with data.
Effectively communicating with data is a necessity in organizations of all types and sizes. It’s often the crucial last mile in the analysis process that determines whether an insight will inspire action. Transforming data into visual communication is only one part of the picture—it’s just as important to engage your audience with a memorable and persuasive story. Narratives are more powerful than raw statistics, more enduring then pretty charts. Effective Data Storytelling teaches you how to communicate insights that influence decisions, inspire action, and drive change.