The PolicyViz Podcast

Welcome to the Season 11 Finale of the PolicyViz Podcast! I’m ready for a summer break and am super excited to close the season talking with Shirly Wu—data visualization artist, technologist, and community thought leader. We talk about Shirley’s journey from creating vibrant, web-based data visualizations to developing physical, multi-sensory data art. Shirley shares what she learned during her recent graduate studies in art and technology, her reflections on data, emotion, and the role of art, and the ideas behind her widely discussed blog series on the state of innovation in the data visualization field. We also discuss how the pandemic reshaped our community, the challenge of maintaining creative joy, and the importance of making space for both functional and expressive data storytelling. From Tokyo to San Francisco, Shirley’s work bridges client projects and immersive art experiences, all grounded in data.Keywords: Shirley Wu, data visualization, data art, scrollytelling, innovation in dataviz, physical data experiences, emotional data storytelling, PolicyViz Podcast, post-pandemic data, visual storytelling, ITP NYU, creative data design, interdisciplinary art, Jon Schwabish, data literacy, local data engagement, experimental visualizationSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Shirley’s websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I am reposting my 2015 interview with Edward Tufte, one of the pioneers of data visualization and author of seminal books like The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. At the time, Tufte was a well-known and hugely influential figure in the field. Over time, his influence has waned, and I find that fewer and fewer people are aware of his work and his impacts on the field of data visualization. Before closing up this season next week, I thought it worth looking back to this interview and listen to Tufte as he reflects on analytical thinking, visual reasoning, and the intersection of art and science. We discussed his sculpture work, the evolution of information design, the power of high-resolution displays, and the importance of clarity and excellence in presenting data. The conversation spans from Tufte’s early teaching days to his vision for the future of data communication, offering a rich mix of philosophy, design, and practical insight.Keywords: Edward Tufte, data visualization, The Thinking Eye, PolicyViz Podcast, Jon Schwabish, analytical thinking, visual reasoning, sculpture, design excellence, high-resolution graphics, information design, flatland, Galileo, data storytelling, maps moving in timeSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

My friend Andy Kirk joins the show to reflect on the changing landscape of data visualization. We discuss the evolution of tools like Tableau and Flourish, the dispersion of social media communities, and how, how AI is reshaping workflows and data visualization. Andy shares insights from his freelance experience, the challenges of teaching data preparation, and his measured take on critique and awards in the field. This episode captures a moment of introspection in data viz—where progress is evident, but big questions remain.Keywords: data, data visualization, flourish, graphic design, how to, information design, graphic design tutorials, graphic design portfolio, graphic design course, online learning, graphic design photoshop, graphic design trends 2024, how to draw, data scientist, Federica fragapane, accurat, AccessibilityInDesign, EngagingVisuals, Inspiration, DataNarratives, VisualizationDesign, InstagramPortfolio, BehancePortfolio, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Andy's website and grab his new book, Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design.Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic joins me to discuss the evolution of her work in data storytelling—from corporate workshops to her newest venture into children’s literature. We explore how the pandemic transformed training formats, the collaborative nature of her team, and the creative process behind her latest book, Daphne Draws Data. Cole reflects on the importance of introducing kids to the visual language of data early in life and shares how simple storytelling principles can empower learners of any age.Keywords: data, data visualization, flourish, graphic design, how to, information design, graphic design tutorials, graphic design portfolio, graphic design course, online learning, graphic design photoshop, graphic design trends 2024, how to draw, data scientist, Federica fragapane, accurat, AccessibilityInDesign, EngagingVisuals, Inspiration, DataNarratives, VisualizationDesign, InstagramPortfolio, BehancePortfolio, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Cole's latest book, Daphe Draws Data on Amazon or wherever you get your books!Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Amanda Cox reflects on her career path from the New York Times to Bloomberg News, highlighting her efforts to make data more accessible and meaningful through journalism. We dive into the shifts in data journalism—from scarce print real estate to the rise of AI tools—and how these transitions affect newsroom priorities, audience interaction, and storytelling techniques. Amanda emphasizes the importance of reducing friction for domain experts and considers the future implications of AI in data analysis and design.Keywords: data, data visualization, Amanda Cox, Data journalism, Bloomberg, USAFacts, AI in journalism, Visual storytelling, Data accessibility, Media evolutionSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Mandy Spaltman and Sebastian Graeff, co-leads of the data team at The European Correspondent, delve into the world of visual journalism. They share insights on their innovative data visualization processes and the collaborative spirit that drives their team. The discussion highlights the balance between artistic freedom and design guidelines while exploring the challenges of creating engaging, multilingual content. Listeners will be fascinated by their vision for the future of interactive visuals and the ongoing evolution of storytelling in journalism.

In this episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I speak with Yanni Loukissas, an Associate Professor at Georgia Tech, about the importance of context in working with data. Yanni argues that data are not universal but local—shaped by their origins, environments, and the intentions of those who collect them. Our conversation dives into how this perspective challenges dominant narratives in data science, particularly the assumption that datasets are neutral or universally applicable. We also discuss how design and storytelling can play a role in exposing the situated nature of data and how educators and practitioners can better teach and communicate these ideas.Keywords: Yanni Loukissas, PolicyViz Podcast, data visualization, data context, data storytelling, situated data, data ethics, data science, data politics, Georgia Tech, Jon Schwabish, design and data, local data, neutral data myth, data literacy, communicating data, data education, critical data studies, data and power, podcast interviewSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Yanni’s website and read his book, All Data are LocalFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I sit down with data visualization expert Moritz Stefaner to reflect on his journey in the field. We discuss Stefaner's work on the Data Stories Podcast, his shift from bespoke data visualization projects to scalable design systems, and his collaborations with organizations like the World Health Organization. Moritz shares insights on the evolution of data visualization trends, the importance of clear communication, and the challenges of building sustainable design frameworks.Keywords: Data visualization, Moritz Stefaner, PolicyViz Podcast, Data Stories Podcast, Design systems, Data journalism, WHO design language, Data communication, AI transcription, Data storytellingmathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthExplore all of Mortiz’s amazing work on his websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Davina Stanley, a communication expert and owner of Clarity First, shares her insights on crafting clear messages in business. She discusses the transformative power of structured messaging, highlighting how it builds trust and streamlines decision-making. Davina recounts her unique journey from teaching kindergarten to consulting at McKinsey, using her experience to emphasize the importance of audience understanding. She also touches on the evolving role of AI in communication, stressing that clarity remains essential amidst technological advancements.

In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I speak with Braden Crooks, co-founder of Designing the We, about their project Undesign the Redline, an interactive exhibit that explores the history and lasting impact of redlining in the U.S. Braden shares how his background in landscape architecture and urban design led him to develop this project, which combines research, storytelling, and community engagement. He discusses the importance of making history tangible through physical exhibits, the role of public participation in shaping the narrative, and the upcoming digital expansion of the project. We also discuss how organizations can bring Undesign the Redline to their communities, using it as a tool for education, dialogue, and activism.Keywords: data, data visualization, Redlining, Undesign the Redline, Urban policy, Structural inequality, Community engagement, Designing the We, Interactive exhibit, Storytelling in policy, Housing discrimination, Urban history, Social justice, Data visualization, Public participation, Community organizing, Historical inequities, Urban renewal, Environmental advocacy, Fair housing, Policy storytelling, Systemic racismSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Braden’s work and Designing the We on their websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com