introducing... public workshops!

Have you read one of my blog posts where I refer to a workshop I've conducted and thought, I wish I could attend one of Cole's storytelling with data workshops!? 

Let me grant your wish...

Now YOU can attend Cole's storytelling with data workshop!

For the very first time, I plan to make available content previously reserved for corporations and non-profit organizations in the form of public workshops, which you can register for and attend. My current plans are to deliver workshops in a number of US cities: the adventure will begin in June in Washington DC.

Click here for details. 

I hope to see you at a workshop soon!

chart chooser

A common basic question that arises in the course of visualizing data is: what is the best type of chart to use? 

First, think about what it is you want to show. Is it a relationship between two variables, a distribution, a comparison? The answer to this question will lead you to the right suite of charts that might be appropriate. Andrew Abela (www.ExtremePresentation.com) has developed a chart chooser to help with this exercise:

(c) A. Abela, 2010, used with permission, link to full size jpg

Once you've answered the question of what you want to show and determined the right suite of charts that might be appropriate, the right answer to the question what is the right chart for my situation? will always be the same: whatever will be easiest for your audience to read. There's an easy way to test this, which is to make your visual and share it with a friend or colleague. They don't need any context; actually, it's better if they don't have any (this puts them in a position similar to your audience, who will always be less familiar with what you want to communicate than you are). Ask them to talk you through what they see: where they focus, what observations they make, what questions they have. This will help you to see if you are on the right track when it comes to whether what you want to communicate is coming across, or in the case that iteration is needed, where to focus your effort.

The meta-lessons here are 1) choose a visual display that's appropriate for the data and information you are trying to show, and 2) seek feedback, there is tremendous value in getting a fresh perspective from someone less familiar with the data than you are to help you iterate for success. A related tip is to start with a blank piece of paper, which can be helpful as you try to determine the visual display that will work best as part of your early iterating process.

Do you have other resources or tips for choosing the right type of visual display? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

inspiration in physical design & infographic wall art

When my husband and I were exploring our new neighborhood and the surrounding area by foot a couple of weeks ago, we came across something exciting: a Blue Bottle Coffee inside a ceramic shop. The ceramic shop in question was Heath, which I've since learned is a long-standing San Francisco institution, renown for their mid-century design. The original factory in Sausalito is where the iconic tableware and tiles are still made today.

I've been finding data viz inspiration recently in physical design, so (caffeine in hand), the bright colors, orderly arrangement, and interesting shapes in the retail space intrigued me. As did the wall art in the sitting area of the coffee shop (pictured above; with views of the open facility where they'll start making tile later this year): eight giant panels painted on the wall forming a timeline of Heath's ceramic products from its inception in 1948 to today. Simple, functional, and thoughtfully designed - just like the ceramics.

Are there any interesting places or disciplines from which you draw data viz inspiration? Leave a comment to inspire the rest of us!