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Robert Kosara

“Big changes” in storytelling: simple and simplistic

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The storytelling world shook this morning with this headline from Tableau: “Data storytelling is undergoing a big change.” The blog post lists three changes: scrolling with less clicking, simpler charts, and visualizations that weave into the narrative.

What is really changing? Not much, and to call it “big changes” is worthy of a trashy tabloid newspaper.

Here’s what should change: Tableau’s leadership in storytelling. So far, Tableau has been a hammer that sees only nails. In storytelling, it sees only another use for data visualization.

The trouble here is that this blog post is sheer marketing when the data storytelling genre needs actual leadership right now.… Read the rest ““Big changes” in storytelling: simple and simplistic”

Visual analysis is pragmatic, not just “pretty”

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So many of us who feel drawn to visual analysis can’t understand why everyone can’t see the value. “Pretty pictures,” the skeptics mutter. On Eager Eyes, Robert Kosara makes important points that I haven’t seen before.

Toward the end of his post he writes, “We need a new term.” He rejects the aged and indefinite “visualization” and the baggage-laden “visual analytics.” He prefers “visual analysis.”

Whatever we call it, it’s harder to use than it seems.

You have seen the bar and pie charts, but do you actually know what they mean? Do you know how to use them to tease the relevant information out of your data?

… Read the rest “Visual analysis is pragmatic, not just “pretty””