Practical Tableau

Chapter 97. Tip #12: Balance Data and Design

Data should always be the heart of any data visualization. Obviously, you cannot have a data visualization without data—and it is imperative that the data is accurate and honest. If I had to choose one element of a new data visualization to focus on between its data or design, I would make sure the data is right first every single time.

That being said, without making some design considerations, your data visualization is doomed to falling short of its full potential. Balancing data and design is another tip that I take personally because I often hear criticism from data purists that do not see the value in complementing the data with an appealing design. To those I ask:

What is the purpose of data visualization?

My answer is that the purpose of data visualization is to find and share actionable stories that are based in quantitative evidence. To make your insights actionable, this means sharing them with the most relevant, and many times, largest audience possible. If you don’t provide your data stories in a well-packaged design, you drastically minimize the chances of your work spreading, and thus, it is consumed and acted on by fewer people.

See Chapter 54 for some tactics for improving your balance between data and design—even if you don’t have any design experience. This chapter also shows a before and after to help illustrate the value this balance can provide.

These tips will ensure your dashboard has its best chance at being ...