Crafting Stories with Data

Data visualizations help us compress and make decisions using data. It is often cited that we are trying to tell stories through them. Crafting stories with data requires us to be a visual designer, coder, statistician, and storyteller. It is both a science and an art. This workshop serves as an introduction to the visual and story techniques that are often employed when developing data-stories.

We will walk through the three elements required to be a successful data storyteller: a review of basic stats that permeate misleading narratives, discussion of metrics necessary to tell a convincing story, and the principles of effective data visualization. Throughout the class, students will engage in interactive exercises and see how the best practices they're learning are used in real-examples.

Takeaways

• Understand and describe what elements are required to be an effective data storyteller
• Grasp the basics of effective data visualization for communication (and identify common mistakes)
• Gain the ability to challenge (or construct) a narrative based on misleading statistics
• Utilize communication and presentation best practices

Prereqs & Preparation

• There are no pre-requisite skills, knowledge or roles necessary for attending the workshop. Only an open approach to learning through listening, observation, and participation in the workshop activities and discussion is required.
• For one of the exercises, students will be encouraged to quantify their own story. Bringing a resume (digitally is fine) is a recommended aid.