How to Tell Stories Using Visualization

Abstract

The benefits of storytelling's are long-known and its potential to simplify concepts, create emotional connection, and capacity to help retain information has been explored in different areas, such as journalism, education, and others. The necessity to incorporate storytelling in visualizations arises from the need to share complex data in a way that is engaging. Advances in technology have enabled us to go beyond the traditional forms of storytelling and representing data, giving us more attractive and sophisticated means to tell stories.In this paper, we present the results of a focus group study that was conducted with the purpose of collecting information on the narrative elements in a collection of visualizations and the possible inclusion of storytelling elements in those. In this study information about the visualizations in terms of comprehension, navigation, and likability was also collected with the intent of identifying elements that are appealing in the visualizations. Furthermore, we suggest strategies for storytelling in visualizations.

Telling Stories with Data Visualization

“…Without storytelling techniques "visualizations are not able to provide explanations about the subject and depend too much on the audience's ability to interpret the data correctly" [25]. When a balance is achieved in the amount of interaction the designer provides to the user to discover the story by himself, some of the challenges of interpreting the visualization can be lessened.…”

“…Figueiras states that "although having a direction will help users that are less familiar with the subject, an undirected exploration can help proficient users find new interpretations of the data and even discover meanings that were not foreseen by the creators of the visualization. It's important to understand every building block of the visualization in order to create a narrative that doesn't overpower the data" [25].…”

“…What became evident in this preliminary research of the storytelling space in the field of information visualization is that it's "starting to take shape" [25], and there are prevalent discussions that are taking place to articulate well grounded techniques and conventions to produce the desired communication with the audience.…”

Knowledge Transfer in Science Education: The Case for Usability-Based Knowledge Visualization Guidelines

“…4. Easy to understand: Presenting the visualization in a simple comprehensive manner requires no prior knowledge of the content [29,30]. 5.…”

Media Professionals Opinions about Interactive Visualizations of Political Polarization during Brazilian Presidential Campaigns on Twitter

“…Data visualization has become a popular medium for journalistic storytelling and professionals have been increasingly using it in news stories to discuss complex issues including elections, economy and global health [5], [6], [7], [8]. In this sense, the visualization operates as a means to find relevant evidence that cannot be captured by a photograph or regular news reporting.…”