From the Data Marks
Once you’ve learned how to use Tableau to create data visualization, the next step is a little trickier. How do you move from a data visualization developer, to a data storyteller?
It happens the same way you get to play at Carnegie Hall; Practice, Practice, Practice.
We will say this, it is very hard to become a data storyteller within the four walls of your workplace. It’s not impossible but in most cases people want information, quickly and efficiently. Data Storytelling is a slightly different skill, but once you learn it you can apply those lessons internally to improve your visualization work.
Always start with exploring your data, generally with simple tables or visualizations.
What dimensions are available?
What measures? How are the measures aggregated?
Is there a time element? Is there a geography element?
What is the overall granularity?
Are there any data issues, anomalies, or elements that need further research?
If you don’t know much about the topic, google it and do some research. The more you know about a topic, the easier it will be to find a story otherwise may not bubble up to the surface.
One of the best places to practice data storytelling is with Makeover Monday. Each week you get a new (static) data set, and the freedom to find a story within the data and then visualize it. At first this is a bit difficult, but as you progress each week, and if you submit your visualization to Andy and Eva for the weekly “MM Viz Review” you will learn so much about presentation and crafting the story. There is also nothing wrong with looking at other people’s work and “duplicating” a story as long as your credit them as the inspiration for the story. As you practice more and more, you will find it easier to find your own stories. This in itself is valuable as you work with your internal data sets to find interesting insights.
Along with Andy and Eva’s feedback from the Viz Review, the community is fabulous at giving feedback, all you need to do is ask for it! Sometimes, you’ll even get feedback if you don’t ask… and it’s all in the name of making people better, don’t take offense to it! Once you get the feedback, make sure you iterate and improve your visualization.
On Tableau Public, make sure you Follow you favorite developers and Favorite those amazing Vizzes. Those are learning tools, muses and references in your learning journey.
Outside of Makeover Monday, think about what interests you the most. Once you narrow that down, search or datasets on that topic, or create your own. If you are working with data you are passionate about finding and telling the stories in the data will be easier.
There are a couple of books that are worth checking out as well:
- Storytelling with Data – Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic (We’ve mentioned her site before and it’s worth mentioning again)
- The Truthful Art & The Functional Art – Alberto Cairo
- Data Visualization – Andy Kirk
- Data Points & Visualize This – Nathan Yau
Good luck and keep practicing!