The PolicyViz Podcast

In this final episode of the season, I welcome Nancy Organ to the show to discuss her new book Data Visualization for People of All Ages. Nancy’s book aims to make dataviz accessible to everyday readers. Our conversation highlights the importance of not altering data simply for aesthetics but to facilitate understanding. We also explore balancing creativity with informed design choices, and suggest alternatives to traditional graphs,  such as infographics,  timelines,  flowcharts,  and diagrams.Keywords: data, dataviz, data visualization, data visualization, bridging data gaps: nancy organ, data gaps: nancy organ on making data visualization, data visualization accessible for all ages, data visualization, data analytics, data analyst, business intelligence, professional certificate program, what is data analytics, jon schwabish, accessible for all ages, chair yoga, nancy organ, nancy organ on making data, data visualization python, data visualization examples, bar graph, data architecture, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Nancy on Twitter and find her book “Data Visualization for People of All Ages” on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Georgia Lupi joins the show to discuss her work in data visualization, her journey from Accurat to Pentagram, and how she takes a human-centric perspective to working with and communicating data. Our conversation also focuses on her new book, “This is Me and Only Me.” The book encourages kids to observe and collect data to understand emotions and human questions, using symbols and colors to express emotions. Giorgia hopes the book will inspire kids and adults to be imaginative, observant, and mindful. We also have some breaking news on this episode because Giorgia is working on another big project, a new book called “Speak Data” that explores data as a language intersecting various fields.Keywords: data with heart giorgia lupi’s journey from visualization, heart giorgia lupi’s journey from visualization, giorgia lupi’s journey from visualization to human connection, lupi’s journey from visualization to human, heart giorgia lupi’s journey, data with heart giorgia lupi’s journey, giorgia lupi’s journey from visualization, giorgia lupi, dataviz, data visualization, human connection jon schwabish, jon schwabish, visualization, lupi’s journey, heart giorgia, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Giorgia on Twitterand find her book “This is Me and Only Me” on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Nicole Lachenmeier and Darjan Hil’s new book, Visualizing Complexity: Modular Information Design Handbook, focuses on deconstructing data encodings into fundamental elements to create effective visualizations. They take an exciting and hands-on approach to data visualization design for their own work and how they teach design to others. In this week’s episode of the podcast, our conversation highlights Nicole and Darjan’s journey in data design and how they stress the importance of deliberate thinking, manual effort, and critical analysis in their design process.Keywords: information design handbook, the modular information design handbook, information design, data visualization, information visualization, information design handbook with nicole, nicole hickl, design handbook with nicole lachenmeier and darjan hil, nicole lachenmeier and darjan hil, Design Handbook, design handbook, jim hall, junior designer tips, fuel filler, design resources, handbook with nicole lachenmeier, infographics, data design, data viz, infografik, infographics show, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Nicole Lachenmeier and Darjan Hilon Instagram and find their new book her book “Visualizing Complexity: Modular Information Design Handbook" on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Nathan Yau’s Flowing Data website was one of the first data visualization websites I discovered in my own data journey. With his new book, Visualize This, now out, I thought it would be a great opportunity to talk with Nathan about his work, his book, and how his own approach to data has evolved over the last several years.Keywords: data visualization storytelling, flowing data, flowing data chart types, visualize this book, nathan yau, nathan yau data, visualize this the flowingdata guide to design visualization and statistics by nathan yau, evolving data visualization, data visualization, crafting the second edition of visualize, edition of visualize this with nathan yau, Visualize This with Nathan Yau, visualize this with nathan yau, o'reilly media, data visualization design, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Nathanon Twitter and find his new book “Visualize This” on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Welcome to a solo episode! In this special episode of the podcast, I talk about the recen Tableau Customer conference in San Diego, which drew over 9,000 participants. I reflect on various aspects of the conference, including its diverse sessions that ranged from showcasing new Tableau features and case studies to hands-on workshops and discussions on data visualization beyond Tableau. I was a presenter at TC and presented my work on the Urban Institute’s Do No Harm Project.My review of the conference focuses just on the positives of the conference—the upcoming features in Tableau, such as allowing Tableau Public users to save work their locally, as well as some thoughts on why I—who is not a huge Tableau user—actually attends the conference. I also discuss a few of the sessions I attended, including hands-on sessions and games in Tableau.Topics Discussed Conference Overview: A recap of the Tableau Conference, highlighting its scale with over 9,000 participants and the variety of sessions that catered to both seasoned data analysts and newcomers to the field. Tableau’s New Features. Significant updates to Tableau, including the ability for Tableau Public users to save work locally – a feature that potentially redefines the need for Tableau Desktop licenses. I also talk about the introduction of customizable themes, Google Fonts integration, VIS Extensions, and the leaps in AI and real-time data integration within Tableau. Community and Networking: I reflect on the value of the community that Tableau fosters, especially through networking opportunities that are more crucial than ever in the post-pandemic era.➡️ Check out more links, notes, transcript, and more at the PolicyViz website.

You know Enrico Bertini, right? Writer, teacher, co-host of the Data Stories podcast, Enrico does it all. Now at Northeastern University, I invited Enrico to the show to talk about his research, great Substack newsletter, and for views on the evolving landscape of data visualization on social media. In our discussion, Enrico emphasized the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration at Northeastern University. He has some concerns about the current state of visualization theory and tools and talks about his ideas around “critical data thinking” as a crucial way of thinking about data visualization, highlighting the challenges of data accuracy and interpretation. We also talk about Enrico’s teaching methods to help students improve their data interpretation and data visualization skills. Enrico and I share some of the same feelings about the shifts in social media use in the dataviz community, and how it has led to a loss in diverse intellectual exchanges, underscoring the importance of finding new ways to foster community engagement and creativity, including through writing platforms like Substack and LinkedIn.Keywords: visualizing the future, navigating the shifts in data storytelling with enrico bertini, data storytelling with enrico bertini, data visualization, navigating the shifts, enrico bertini, storytelling with enrico bertini, analytics, business intelligence, data storytelling, Jon Schwabish, jon schwabish, tableau, bar graph, flourish, data analytics, flourish studio, flourish studio tutorial, coping with change, intuitive, annabelle drumm, data visualization for data science, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Enrico on Twitterand find his newsletter on SubstackFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.comSponsor: Whisper TranscribeWhisper Transcribe is an absolute game changer in the world of transcription and AI-generated content creation! Get an accurate transcript from your audio and video files and automatically generate content directly from it.Check out Whisper Transcribe

On this week’s episode of the podcast, I speak to author and teacher Nick Desbarats about his new book, Practical Charts: The Essential Guide to Creating Clear, Compelling Charts for Reports and Presentations.  Our conversation covers choosing appropriate chart types, emphasizing simplicity and clarity, and understanding when to use different formats. Nick aims to challenge dogmatic views on charts, such as the use of pie charts, and stresses the importance of catering to the audience’s familiarity with graph types. Our chat also includes insights on transitioning to online teaching during the pandemic, the distinction between clear graphs and dashboards, and the significance of mastering fundamentals in data visualization for beginners and intermediates. If you’re familiar with Stephen Few’s work, you’re also bound to find some behind-the-scenes gems in this week’s episode.Topics Discussed Choosing the Right Chart. Nick kicks off our conversation with an essential primer on selecting the appropriate chart types for different datasets. His focus is on simplicity and clarity, ensuring that the chosen chart communicates the intended message as effectively as possible. Challenging Chart Dogmas. Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged as Nick takes on the controversial stance on pie charts and other commonly debated graph types. It’s all about breaking the mold and understanding why certain charts work better for specific audiences. Catering to Audience Familiarity. A significant portion of our chat is dedicated to the importance of tailoring chart choices to the audience’s level of comfort and familiarity with different types of graphs. This segment is crucial for anyone looking to maximize the impact of their data presentations.➡️ Check out more links, notes, transcript, and more at the PolicyViz website.Sponsor: Whisper TranscribeWhisper Transcribe is an absolute game changer in the world of transcription and AI-generated content creation! Get an accurate transcript from your audio and video files and automatically generate content directly from it.Check out Whisper Transcribe

In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I interview Rahul Bhargava from Northeastern University on the topic of data physicalization. We discuss the role of community engagement and societal impact in communicating data and including different people and communities. Our conversation touches upon teaching combined majors at Northeastern and expanding data engagement through Rahul’s participatory art methods. We explore the limitations of visual learning and advocate for including diverse voices via data sculptures and embodied experiences.Keywords: data beyond the screen: sculpting community, screen sculpting community voices, zbrush, sculpting community voices with rahul bhargava, jon schwabish, data visualization, tableau, flourish, bar graph, flourish data visualization tool, bar chart race, Rahul Bhargava, rahul bhargava, dr rahul bhargava, fortis, bone marrow, blender sculpting tutorial, screen sculpting community, zbrush sculpting, how to sculpt in blender, community voices, meow wolf denver, sculpting community, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Rahul’s websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.comSponsor: Ant Design System for FigmaDesign and develop Ant Design projects faster than ever! The powerful UI kit for Figma based on the most popular React UI library - Ant Design. Create and implement well-documented Ant Design apps in no time! Variables, Auto Layout, Variants, Component Properties Dedicated Figma Plugin to copy style settings from Figma to code Hover and click interactions for easy prototyping Switch between light and dark theme Developer-friendly components

Amanda Makulec is the current Executive Director of the Data Visualization Society (DVS), and in this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, we discuss her journey and the DVS’s evolution as it approaches its fifth anniversary. Amanda shares her experience starting as a volunteer all the way to leading the entire organization. With her second term coming to an end, she emphasizes the importance of term limits and her commitment to ensuring the organization’s sustainability by focusing on operational systems, finances, compliance, and community responsiveness.Keywords: charting new horizons: amanda makulec on leadership, amanda makulec on leadership, data visualization, Community, trakin tech, Human Touch Behind DataViz, tableau, new horizons: amanda makulec, makulec on leadership, leadership community and the human touch, Touch Behind DataViz, business intelligence, data analyst, amanda makulec on leadership community, Amanda Makulec, amanda makulec, data visualization society, public health, women in analytics, women in data, steve Wexler , mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFind Amanda and her work on the Data Visualization Society websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.comSponsor: Ant Design System for FigmaDesign and develop Ant Design projects faster than ever! The powerful UI kit for Figma based on the most popular React UI library - Ant Design. Create and implement well-documented Ant Design apps in no time! Variables, Auto Layout, Variants, Component Properties Dedicated Figma Plugin to copy style settings from Figma to code Hover and click interactions for easy prototyping Switch between light and dark theme Developer-friendly components

In this week’s episode, I chat with Dietmar Offenhuber about his new book, Autographic Design and the concept of autographic data analysis. Dietmar stresses the significance of recognizing the material origins of data and the influence of extraneous variables. He advocates for a qualitative approach that pays attention to data traces, which can uncover deeper narratives. In our conversation, we explore what is meant by autographic design and urge a wider lens on data to grasp multifaceted problems thoroughly. Additionally, Dietmar’s work underscores the interplay between qualitative and quantitative methods, emphasizing the role of subtlety and conjecture in data interpretation to bring a more nuanced understanding of the stories behind the numbers.Keywords: dietmar offenhuber, autographic design, design in data analysis with dietmar offenhuber, Design in Data Analysis, design in data analysis, how to become a data analyst, quantitative data analysis, Dietmar Offenhuber, Jon Schwabish, jon schwabish, data visualization, tableau, dataviz, flourish, bar graph, flourish data visualization tool, bar chart race, data analysis with dietmar offenhuber, autographic design in data, sports card investing, investing in sports cards, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthVisit Dietmar’s websiteand check out his new book “Autographic Design: The Matter of Data in a Self-Inscribing World”Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com➡️ Check out more links, notes, transcript, and more at the PolicyViz website.Sponsor: Maryland Institute College of ArtThe Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) application deadlines for summer and fall are April 22 and August 1. Spots are limited, so start your application now and talk to an enrollment coach by filling out our form at online.mica.edu/dav/.