Data visualization tips that will change the way you build dashboards forever

What can I do to make my data visualization more engaging, dynamic, relevant, and well-received by a wide range of audiences? These issues are top-of-mind for everyone curating data visualization, whether they're a newbie or a seasoned data analyst since they want to make it unique. Visualizations, when done effectively, may tell a compelling narrative. They can also reveal hidden information and details that a spreadsheet, bar chart, or pie graph would not reveal. Consider what you want to achieve with the visualization before diving into the details. This practice will help you pick what data to include. Consider the following questions:

• Who is my target audience?
• What are their concerns?
• What solutions am I coming up with for them?
• So, what exactly am I trying to say?
• What other concerns or conversations?might be raised by my visualization?

The power of data visualization

Data design is compelling because your brain is prewired to absorb visual content faster than words. It is easier for your brain to absorb, synthesize, and retain knowledge when you "see" the facts.

Unfortunately, many people believe that simply throwing a few charts together constitutes good data visualization design. You're not only not doing it well; you're perhaps harming your brand. A muddled presentation, mislabelled data, 3D charts that skew perception, and so on are all examples of poor data design. Such situations can jeopardize your credibility, something no one wants.

Even if you're not exaggerating data, if you're not presenting it in the best possible way, you're doing your reader a disservice. Fortunately, you can consider several basic things to guarantee that your data stories have the desired impact.

Effective tips that will change the way you build dashboards forever

Keep in mind that every data visualisation design decision you make should benefit your reader, not you. To make the most of your data, follow these guidelines.

?General Tips

1. Choose the right charts to tell your story.?There may be more than one way to visualize the data appropriately. Consider what you're attempting to achieve, the message you're sending, the audience you're trying to reach, and so on.?
2. Remove unnecessary data.?No, it does not imply that you eliminate half of your data points. However, items like chart trash, additional copy, needless images, drop shadows, ornamentations, and so on should be avoided. The beauty of data visualization is that it allows the design to perform the hard work to enhance and communicate the story. Allow it to do its work. (However, avoid using 3D charts. They can skew the perception of the visualization, as previously stated.
3. Create a comprehensive design.?Take a step back when you've finished your visualization and analyze what basic features could be added, altered, or eliminated to make the data easier to understand for the reader. You could want to add a trend line to a line chart, or you might notice your pie chart has too many slices (use six maximum). These minor adjustments have a significant impact.

Comparing data

Data visualization simplifies comparison by allowing you to "see" how two different data sets compare to one another. However, putting two charts side by side does not consistently achieve this. It can make things even more perplexing.

1. Add baseline -?Although a line chart does not have to begin at zero, it should be included to provide more context for comparison. Suppose very few variations in data are significant (for example, in stock market data). In that case, you can shorten the scale to highlight these differences.
2. ?Select the most effective visualization -?Visual consistency is necessary so that the reader can compare and contrast at a glance. This could imply using stacked bar charts, grouped bar charts, or line graphs. Whatever you choose, please don't make the reader work too hard by asking them to compare too many things.
3. Take care of placement -?You may have two great stacked bar charts that are supposed to allow your reader to compare points, but if they're too far away, you've already lost.
4. Include the whole story -?Perhaps your sales increased by 30% in Q4. Exciting! What, on the other hand, is more thrilling? Demonstrating a 100 per cent growth in sales since the first quarter.

Preparing copy for data visualization

Data is about numbers, to be sure. Still, it's usually utilized in conjunction with a copy to assist put the point in context. However, we see data visualization and content working against each other rather than together in many data visualizations, infographics, and e-books.

1. Don't over-explain -?If a fact is already mentioned in the prose, it doesn't need to be repeated in the subhead, callout, or chart header.
2. Use simple charts and graphs that are to the point -?It's not necessary to be witty, lengthy, or punny. Any descriptive language above the chart should be succinct and relevant to the chart below. Remember to concentrate on the quickest route to understanding.
3. Place callouts wisely -?Callouts aren't there for the sake of taking up space. They should be used to draw attention to important information or provide more context.
4. Avoid distracting fonts and elements -?You may need to accentuate a point at times. If that's the case, simply use bold or italic text to accentuate a point—and don't use both at once.

Colour in data visualization

When used correctly, colour can be a powerful instrument. When utilized incorrectly, it has the potential to distract and misdirect the reader. In your data visualization design, make good use of it.

1. Use a single colour for the same type of data -?Use a single colour if you're using a bar chart to show month-by-month sales. In a grouped chart, however, you should use a different hue for each year if you're comparing last year's sales to the current year's sales. You can also use a complementary hue as an accent to highlight a specific point.
2. Keep in mind common colour associations -?Negative numbers should be written in green, and positive numbers should be written in red. Because those hue connections are so powerful, the viewer's mind will instinctively reverse the meaning.
3. Keep proper contrast between colours -?It can be challenging to distinguish between very close hues (light grey vs very light grey). Use high-contrast colour combos like red/green or blue/yellow sparingly.
4. Don't use patterns -?Stripes and polka dots may appear entertaining, but they can be pretty distracting. Use varying saturations of the same hue to differentiate, for example, on a map. To that end, employ only solid-coloured lines (no dashes).
5. Choose colours wisely -?Some hues shine out more than others, giving the data an unfair advantage. Instead, show intensity using a single colour with shifting shades or a spectrum between two similar colours. Colour intensity should also be intuitively coded according to values.
6. Avoid using more than six colours in a single layout -?Using multiple colours in a single layout can look messy. It is best to stick to as many fewer colours as possible. The best possible way is to work on a colour palette.

Labelling data

It can be a minefield when it comes to labelling. Labels help readers analyze data, but too many or too few can cause problems.

1. Label every important point -?Ensure that everything that requires a label has one and that there are no repetitions or mistakes.
2. Ensure that labels are properly visible -?All labels should be unobstructed and immediately distinguishable from the data point they correspond to.

Ordering data

Data visualization is intended to aid understanding. Random patterns that are difficult to interpret are aggravating and counterproductive to your message.

1. Order data intuitively and consistently -?A logical hierarchy should be in place. Sort the categories by alphabetical order, sequential order, or value. The arrangement of the elements in your legend should correspond to the order of the objects in your chart.
2. Order evenly -?Instead of difficult or uneven increments on your axes, use natural increments (0, 5, 10, 15, 20). (0, 3, 5, 16, 50).

?Ways to master the art of storytelling through data visualization

Of course, if you genuinely want to stay ahead of the game, make sure you're up to date on data storytelling best practices at every level of the process.

1. Choose the right sources -?Fantastic data leads to great tales. While external data has a broader range of stories, inside data is an excellent source of unique and engaging stories. Check out these 100+ free and reputable data sources to find external data. Here are nine areas to look for internal data. You may also use our advice to correctly source such info in your post.
2. Draft a compelling story -?The ability to extract and build a unified narrative is the true power of data storytelling. Start with this step-by-step tutorial to identify stories in your data and create a compelling data storey.
3. Work on the right format -?You must offer your facts appropriately to ensure the most significant impact. Please choose the best format for your data visualization tale, whether it's an e-book, an infographic, or a motion graphic.
4. Consider design fundamentals -?It's essential to have a good design. It's also important to remember that differentiating yourself through design is vital for standing out.
5. Use content effectively -?Reuse your data visualizations or turn old information into fresh formats. You can turn them into infographics, e-books, animated infographics, reports, micro-content, and other formats to get more mileage out of them.
6. Use the right promotion channels -?Don't let good data stories get lost in the shuffle. Learn how to promote your content like a content agency and how to SEO-optimize your site.

Companies and websites generate a large amount of data, which must be analyzed and structured to provide helpful information to those interested. Long reports on website visitors aren't always the most effective method to communicate that information, which is where dashboards come in handy.