Visual Storytelling: Crafting Insights through Data
Tara Kenyon, PhD
Helping Executives Turn Data into Money | The Tara Kenyon Group | Analytics Consultant | Business Professor | TaraKenyonPhD.substack.com | Creator of the "Data are Sexy" podcast.
In this podcast episode, “Visual Storytelling,” you should begin to acquire a powerful language—one that goes beyond words and numbers—a language that can speak volumes to your audience, whether you're a business leader, educator, or data enthusiast. Get ready to unlock the fundamental principles, explore the diverse types, and grasp the psychology behind data visualization. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new set of communication skills that will transform how you convey insights and tell compelling stories with data.
Season 2. Data Visualization Mastery
Imagine being able to express complex ideas and findings effortlessly, capturing your audience's attention and leaving a lasting impression. The language of data visualization is your gateway to achieving this. It's not just about creating charts; it's about crafting narratives that resonate with your viewers, helping them understand and connect with the data on a deeper level. In this season, we are going to show you the skills necessary to become a master communicator through visuals, making your data-driven insights more accessible and engaging.
Becoming a DataViz Wiz
Leonardo
Let's start with a story—one that involves a name you're undoubtedly familiar with: Leonardo da Vinci. Known primarily as a painter, da Vinci was also a brilliant inventor and scientist of his time. What set him apart was his remarkable ability to merge art and science seamlessly. Imagine flipping through his famous notebooks, and you'll find intricately detailed sketches of inventions, anatomical studies, and, surprisingly, data visualizations.
One such visualization was da Vinci's exploration of the flow of water. In his notebook, he drew detailed diagrams of water currents, meticulously documenting their patterns and behaviors.
His purpose was not just to create art but to understand and communicate the complex nature of fluid dynamics.
Da Vinci was a pioneer in data visualization, centuries ahead of his time. He understood that visuals could convey intricate information more effectively than words alone. His sketches weren't just aesthetically pleasing; they were tools for discovery and communication.
Fast forward to today's data-driven world, and you'll see that the essence of da Vinci's work remains unchanged. Data visualization is not just about creating pretty charts; it's about harnessing the power of visuals to communicate, discover, and innovate. Just as da Vinci used art to convey scientific principles, you can use data visualization to tell stories, reveal insights, and influence decisions. So, as we explore the principles and applications of this language, remember that you're following in the footsteps of a true master—Leonardo da Vinci.
Design Visuals that Align
Data visualization unravels the secrets behind a transformative language. As I mentioned earlier, it isn't just about aesthetics; it taps into the psychology of how our brains process information. The more we delve into the cognitive aspects of data comprehension, the more we learn how to design visuals that align with how people naturally perceive and interpret data.
Why is this important?
Understanding the psychology behind data visualization enables you to create visuals that resonate with your audience's cognitive processes.
A Planetary Example
Most of us studying the planets in grade school know that Jupiter is the largest planet with Saturn being the second-largest planet in our solar system. In pure numbers, the NASA listing of planet sizes are:
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Source: The Solar System: Planet Sizes
This list gives accurate information, but the following visual is striking:
This comparison visual shows that Jupiter is 11x the Earth’s size and that Saturn is 9x the earth’s size. It also shows is that the distant planets of Uranus and Neptune are 4x the size of the earth and that Venus and Earth are roughly the same size with Mars and Mercury being much smaller. The visual above takes advantage of our brain's ability to quickly grasp relative sizes. The list does not.
As we dive deeper into the language of data visualization, remember that you're not just learning a skill; you're embracing a transformative way of communication. The story of Leonardo da Vinci, seamlessly blending art and science in his notebooks, serves as a testament to the power of visuals in conveying complex ideas. Your journey into data visualization follows in the footsteps of innovators like da Vinci, who understood that visuals could transcend words and numbers, bridging the gap between data and understanding.
"Visual Storytelling" is the cornerstone upon which we'll build your data visualization mastery. With this language, you'll not only understand the principles and types of data visualization but also tap into the psychology behind effective communication. As you progress through this season, you'll discover how each piece of the puzzle fits together, equipping you with the skills to craft compelling data-driven narratives.
Practice Makes Perfect
To kickstart your journey into mastering the language of data visualization, here's a simple practice: Find a dataset or information that interests you—a recent news article, a business report, or even personal data. Take a few moments to sketch out how you would visually represent that information. What type of chart or visualization would you use? How would you arrange the elements for maximum punch? Even if it's just a rough sketch on a notepad, this practice will gradually sharpen your visual communication skills.
As we conclude, keep in mind that you're not just learning a new skill; you're embarking on a transformative journey. The language of data visualization has the power to amplify your ability to communicate, comprehend, and influence through data. You're on the path to becoming a master communicator in the realm of data, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way. So, let's continue this journey together, and I promise you'll emerge as a data visualization master, capable of crafting insights that resonate with audiences far and wide.
#datainsights #datavisualization #dataanalytics #diva #TaraKenyonPhD
Connect with me on LinkedIn: Tara Kenyon, PhD
I'm deeply passionate about assisting executives in harnessing the power of their data. Not only to compete with analytics but to absolutely dominate their markets with data-driven strategies that turn data into profits. You can discover how to leverage data to turbocharge your business's prosperity, all while relishing extraordinary benefits on my website: tarakenyon.com.
If you’d like to learn more, check out my online course called “Data Visualization Mastery,” presented by Kentara? Analytics.? You can find it directly on Kentara’s Teach:able website - https://kentara.teachable.com OR, if you’d like a deep discount, go to https://kentara-analytics.com/courses where you can see this and other courses on business science, data visualization, and data-rich leadership.
You can reach out directly to me via my website at tarakenyon.com. You can also schedule a call at a time suitable for both of us via my Calendly schedule: https://calendly.com/tara-kenyon. You'll receive an email with a calendar booking and a Zoom link for the call.