Data Viz Today: Your Look Behind-the-scenes Of Today's Best Data Visualizations

Do you ever have a client that's not sure what they need, and you also feel at a loss on how to visualize their goal in the most useful way? In this episode, I talk about how I'm bringing back my old Help Desk skills to break through that wall (or vizzer's block ;D) and dig up useful dashboard ideas. Show Notes Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

How can you find your unique data viz style? I've started my quest to find mine, which I hope will help me find my voice and create work that’s more representative of my point of view. I know it’s not something that happens overnight, but what can I do to get started? Featured data visualization project by Federica Fragapane provides plenty of inspiration for how to get on the right path. Show Notes Federica's Portfolio Follow Federica on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

Is it ever beneficial to stray from the usual chart types and create your own original, novel data visualization? i.e. A viz where you decide what each free-form shape, line, and color represents. In this episode, host Alli Torban explores how this technique can lead to a deeper connection to your data. Featured data visualization by Sonja Kuijpers perfectly illustrates how creating an original visualization can turn overwhelm into clarity. Show Notes Sonja's Website Follow Sonja on Twitter! Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter!

I loved reading Edward Tufte's “The Visual Display of Quantitative Information” for the first time as part of the Data Vis Book Club! He's known as a pioneer in the data viz field but has also received criticism for his "my way or the highway" approach. I highly recommend reading his book, not necessarily as a data viz rulebook, but as a valuable perspective to consider. In this episode, I talk about the 3 things that I'll try to do better in my data visualizations now that I've read Tufte's book. What about you? Show Notes Edward Tufte's Book Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

Being able to see the difference between well-designed and poorly-designed data viz is half the battle! But when your work always looks amateurish to you, it can be really frustrating. In this episode, host Alli Torban identifies specific ways that you can close the gap between your good taste and your developing skills. Featured data visualization by Jane Pong perfectly illustrates how dense data can still be designed in a clean and engaging way, and I take notes from her to remake my viz from a past episode! Show Notes Jane's Website Follow Jane on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

How can you create a data viz that feels inviting to your reader? Host Alli Torban explores the specific design elements that can offer your reader an enjoyable experience. Featured data visualization by Sarah Bartlett perfectly demonstrates how investing in an inviting design can lead to a pleasant, informative, and memorable experience. Show Notes Sarah's Website Sarah on Twitter Data Viz Today on Twitter

Have you ever heard these words? "We don't have a budget for this work, but we can offer you exposure!" Whether you're more in the graphic design camp or the data journalism camp, you'll probably run up against this at some point in your freelancing journey. In this episode, I offer 3 questions to ask yourself before agreeing to do data viz work for free so that you can protect your time and engage in projects that are truly a win-win. Show Notes Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Instagram

How can visualizing streaks in your data help you find patterns and gain perspective? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways you can see your data in a new way by highlighting the period of time that something is happening - a streak. Featured data visualization by Frank Elavsky perfectly demonstrates how streaks are not only beautiful but can also reveal patterns and new questions. Show Notes Article with Viz Frank on Twitter Data Viz Today on Twitter

How has my data viz design process changed over the past 5 months? Well, it was pretty non-existent to start with, but after interviewing 20 top data viz designers, I've learned a lot and now have a much more defined design process.  In this episode, I share my current 7-step process and would love to hear what yours is like so we can learn from each other! Show Notes Data Viz Today Twitter Data Viz Today Instagram

How can segmenting your line chart into intervals help you gain insights into your data? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways you can visually break up your line chart into intervals as a way to quickly see your data from a different perspective. Example questions you could answer: Which marketing campaign had the greatest effect on sales? Does varying the basketball shot clock length change how many points are scored? Featured data visualization by Ben Jones perfectly models how this technique can visually communicate a relationship between two metrics. Show Notes Ben's Website Ben's Twitter Data Viz Today Twitter

What are isochrone maps and how can you use them for advanced analysis or data art? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways you can create and use isochrones for personal or work challenges. Featured data visualization project by Topi Tjukanov perfectly models how isochrones can bring out interesting insights. Show Notes Topi's Website Topi's Twitter Data Viz Today Twitter

How can you see your data viz with fresh eyes? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways you can view your work from a new perspective when you're short on time! Show Notes Download the Printable Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

How can you start your own data viz passion project that hones your skills and opens the door to new opportunities? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways you can find and execute a passion project that brings you joy and growth. Featured data visualization project by Amy Cesal perfectly models how a passion project can be fun, bring new opportunities, and grow your skills! Show Notes Amy's Website Amy's Twitter Data Viz Today's Twitter

How can you take your scatter plot to the next level? Host Alli Torban dives into 3 ways you can layer onto a scatter plot to enhance your reader’s understanding of the data. Show Notes Maarten's Website Maarten's Twitter Data Viz Today's Twitter

How can visualizations help people make decisions and set goals? Use a simulation/what-if analysis and visualize the results! Host Alli Torban dives into why simulations are so powerful in persuading people and how to know if your client could benefit from a what-if visualization! Show notes Gabrielle's Website Gabrielle's Twitter Data Viz Today Twitter

What can we learn from the top-notch Data Team at the Economist? Host Alli Torban dives into the 3 things that she learned from their team as they put together their predictive model for the U.S. midterm elections. (Hint: the complexities of predictive model building, visualizing uncertainty, and annotations!) Shownotes The Economist's Midterm Election Predictive Model Follow The Economist's Data Team on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

How can you use visual metaphor to evoke emotion? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways to find a visual metaphor that's right for your data. Featured data viz by Valentina D'Efilippo models how to use visual metaphor to create a beautiful, meaningful, and memorable data viz. Shownotes Valentina's Website Follow Valentina on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

How can you enhance your portfolio with maps? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways to get started making your own maps! Featured data viz by Hyemi Song models how to use a beautifully styled map to show emerging spatial patterns. Course: “Make Your First Custom Map in Under 30 Minutes” Show Notes Hyemi's Website Follow Hyemi on Twitter   Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter  

How can you encourage a reader to explore your data visualization without adding any interactivity? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways to make an exploratory static data viz - no coding necessary! Featured viz by Krisztina Szucs models how to encourage exploration by visualizing the rating and profit of past box office hits. Show Notes Krisztina's Website Follow Krisztina on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter

How can you make your sports viz appeal to a wider audience to include those passively interested in your sport? Host Alli Torban dives into specific ways to pull out the strategy and nuance of your sports data. Featured viz by Ben Matheson models how to appeal to a wide audience by visualizing the strategy behind the run/rest decisions of Iditarod mushers. Show Notes Ben's Website Follow Ben on Twitter Follow Data Viz Today on Twitter