ASA WORKSHOP ON DATA VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUE S
S T O R Y T E L L I N G W I T H D ATA
january 31, 2014
VEENA MENDIRATTA
[email protected]
Outline
Model and Characterization
Simple Examples
Elements of a Data Story
Summary
Model and Characterization
Simple Examples
Elements of a Data Story
Summary
Story Definition and Model
Story
ordered sequence of steps (<- order is key)
each step contains text, images, visualizations, video, etc
defined path (or paths) through the steps
Journalism Model
journalists collect information through research, interviews,
etc to assemble the key facts
tie together the key facts (raw material) to produce a story
Data Analyst Model
use visualization for exploration and analysis
use visualization for presentation (storytelling) using the
results from the analysis
tools used for analysis may not work for presentation
Robert Kosara, Jock Mackinlay, Storytelling: The Next Step for Visualization,
IEEE Computer (Special Issue on Cutting-Edge Research in Visualization), vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 4450, 2013.
Characterizing the Area
Narrative Visualization
Edward Segel and Jeffrey Heer, Narrative Visualization: Telling Stories with Data, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON
VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS, VOL. 16, NO. 6, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
Narrative framework
visual structure (genre): support the story
interactivity: engage the story
messaging: tell the story
Approaches
Genres
magazine style
annotated chart
partitioned poster
flow chart
comic strip
slide show
film, video, animation
author driven: strong ordering, heavy messaging, limited interactivity
reader driven: weak ordering, light messaging, free interactivity
Common schemas
martini glass structure: prioritizes author-driven approach
drill-down story: prioritizes reader-driven approach
interactive slide-show: promotes dialog between above approaches
Narrative Framework
Edward Segel and Jeffrey Heer, Narrative Visualization: Telling Stories with Data, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON
VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS, VOL. 16, NO. 6, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
https://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/media/upload/presentations/2012/01/13/InteractiveJournalism_Berkeley.pdf
Design Space
genres + interactivity + messaging
Author Driven
strong order
heavy messaging
minimal interactivity
clear story
fast delivery
authors message
martini glass
interactive
slide-show
Reader Driven
weak order
light messaging
free interactivity
query
explore
reader driven
drill-down
story
Model and Characterization
Simple Examples
Elements of a Data Story
Summary
Simple story example
http://www.storytellingwithdata.com/2012/10/my-penchant-for-horizontal-bar-graphs.html
this tells a better story
Chart Junk
when is it helpful for a story?
better recall in the long-term elements, trend, message
Scott Bateman, Regan L. Mandryk, Carl Gutwin, Aaron Genest, David McDine, Christopher Brooks,
Useful Junk? The Effects of Visual Embellishment on Comprehension and Memorability of Charts. ACM
Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), 2010.
Pictograph (1930)
Home and Factory Weaving in England, 1820-1880 Otto and Marie Neurath Isotype Collection, University of Reading
as seen in The Functional Art by Alberto Cairo.
Model and Characterization
Simple Examples
Elements of a Data Story
Summary
story depth
Storytellying elements
simple
charts
tells a story
story depth
info scent
Storytellying elements
visualization
simple
charts
info
graphics
tells a story
narrative
story depth
info scent
audience
Storytellying elements
visual
data
stories
visualization
simple
charts
info
graphics
tells a story
narrative
author
Building Narrative
Napoleons March 1812-1813 flowmap
a means of telling the story of the soldiers plight
Building Narrative
Driving Safety in Fits and Starts
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/09/17/science/driving-safety-in-fits-and-starts.html
Connected Scatterplot
Adding Depth
Why is Her Paycheck Smaller
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/01/business/20090301_WageGap.html?_r=0
Adding Depth
Housings Rise and Fall in 20 Cities
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/31/business/economy/case-shiller-index.html?ref=economy
Adding Depth
Jobless Rate for People Like You
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/06/business/economy/unemployment-lines.html
How Different Groups Spend Their Day
Adding Interaction
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/31/business/20080801-metrics-graphic.html
GED Viz Data Storytelling Tool
http://viz.ged-project.de/?lang=en
Model and Characterization
Simple Examples
Elements of a Data Story
Summary
Discovery vs Presentation
Discovery
explore
build views
test hypothesis
lots of data
Presentation
Presentation
how much narrative to provide?
depends
is there a presenter?
or is the graphic provided?
focus!
common mistake lack of focus, too much data
present only what is relevant for the story
minimum amount of information needed to make
the story work
Summary
STRUCTURE
Understand the context audience, data, takeaway/outcome
Choose right display type text, scatterplots, line charts, bar charts, ...
Eliminate clutter use Gestalt principles to cut if no information value
Draw attention where you want to preattentive attributes of color, size,
Linear is better for storytelling
Guide readers through the story where to start, how to get back, reset
Limit complexity initially, reveal as needed
Cool and readability maybe at odds recognize tradeoffs, tailor to audience
Text good for storytelling
MESSAGING
State the point you want to make dont leave the reader wondering
Start with an interesting view
Put numbers and facts in context
Connect relevant text and graphics, e.g., see Figure 1
Add summary/conclusions/so what?
Labels and significant digits suggest what deserves attention
INTERACTIVITY
Show how the interactivity works, make it intuitive
Limit interactivity to key elements too much can distract from story
Building Narrative
extra virgin suicide
http://nyti.ms/MbTzYz
