How can you choose the best framework for data visualization storytelling?

1 Define your purpose

Before you dive into any data visualization tool or technique, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your data story. Do you want to inform, persuade, educate, or entertain your audience? Do you want to highlight a problem, a solution, a trend, or a comparison? Do you want to evoke an emotional response, a logical argument, or a call to action? Your purpose will guide your choice of data visualization framework, as different frameworks have different strengths and limitations for different types of stories.

2 Know your audience

Another important factor to consider when choosing a data visualization framework is your audience. Who are they, what do they know, what do they care about, and what do they expect from your data story? Depending on your audience's background, interests, and preferences, you may need to adjust your data visualization framework to suit their level of understanding, attention span, and engagement. For example, if your audience is familiar with your data domain, you may use a more complex or technical framework that allows them to explore and analyze the data in depth. If your audience is new to your data domain, you may use a simpler or more intuitive framework that explains the data in a clear and concise way.

3 Choose your data

The third factor to consider when choosing a data visualization framework is your data. What kind of data do you have, how much of it do you have, and how is it structured? Depending on your data type, size, and format, you may need to use different data visualization frameworks that can handle and display your data effectively. For example, if your data is numerical, you may use a quantitative framework that uses charts, graphs, and tables to show the data values and relationships. If your data is textual, you may use a qualitative framework that uses word clouds, maps, and timelines to show the data themes and contexts.

4 Select your format

The fourth factor to consider when choosing a data visualization framework is your format. How will you present your data story, in what medium, and for how long? Depending on your format, you may need to use different data visualization frameworks that can adapt and optimize your data story for different platforms and scenarios. For example, if you are presenting your data story in a live setting, you may use a dynamic framework that uses animations, interactions, and transitions to keep your audience engaged and focused. If you are presenting your data story in a static setting, you may use a static framework that uses colors, shapes, and annotations to make your data story clear and memorable.

5 Apply your principles

The fifth factor to consider when choosing a data visualization framework is your principles. What are the best practices and ethical standards that you follow when creating and sharing your data story? Depending on your principles, you may need to use different data visualization frameworks that can ensure and enhance the quality, accuracy, and credibility of your data story. For example, if you value simplicity, you may use a minimalist framework that uses fewer elements and more white space to make your data story easy to read and understand. If you value honesty, you may use a transparent framework that uses sources, references, and disclaimers to make your data story trustworthy and accountable.

6 Experiment and evaluate

The final factor to consider when choosing a data visualization framework is your experimentation and evaluation. How will you test and measure the effectiveness and impact of your data story? Depending on your experimentation and evaluation, you may need to use different data visualization frameworks that can allow and enable you to iterate and improve your data story. For example, if you want to test your data story with your audience, you may use a feedback framework that uses surveys, ratings, and comments to collect and analyze their responses and opinions. If you want to measure your data story with your metrics, you may use a performance framework that uses views, shares, and conversions to track and quantify your outcomes and goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?