Communicating with Data

Chapter 10. Next Steps

Being a great data communicator is a lifelong pursuit. There is always more to learn, and the benefits you reap will only increase as you do. You can take many paths to progress through this journey and use many tools and resources to help you along the way.

Since every path is so different, it’s hard to say exactly what you should do next. Instead, I’ll finish by offering some next steps that can take you and your data communication skills in all sorts of directions.

Step 1: Get Inspired

The challenge of data communication is to keep your message clear while also getting and keeping your audience’s attention. You’ve learned about several ways to create eye-catching, informative visualizations, but to keep your eye for design fresh, it’s important to keep up on what others are doing in the field. Looking at lots of data visualizations made by skilled practitioners will keep you thinking creatively.

I find I need to take inspiration from others’ work and then experiment with similar techniques or approaches on my own. Without the inspiration of others’ work, you might quickly find yourself in a rut, using the same old techniques over and over. Just as writers must read great literature and artists visit museums and galleries to fill their creative well, you should immerse yourself in the best work you can find.

Here are some of my favorite places to turn for inspiration:

Social media

Sites like Twitter are a useful place to find professional work and personal ...