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Published Feb 7, 2023

651: The Intentional Use of Color in Data Communication — with Kate Strachnyi

Kate Strachnyi delves into the art of data storytelling with a focus on the intentional use of color in visualizations, offering valuable insights on cultural sensitivity, accessibility, and the psychological impact of color to create more engaging and inclusive data communications.
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  • Color Scales

    explains the three types of color scales essential for effective data visualization: categorical, sequential, and diverging. Categorical scales are used for distinct groups, sequential scales for data with a natural order, and diverging scales for data with a midpoint and extremes 1. She emphasizes the importance of starting with grayscale and methodically adding colors to enhance clarity and avoid confusion 2.

    When using multiple visualizations in a document, the colors of related concepts should be consistent to avoid confusing the audience.

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    adds that understanding these scales can significantly improve how data stories are communicated 1.

       

    Tool Recommendations

    Kate shares her favorite tools for creating visually appealing data visualizations, highlighting Canva's text-to-image generation feature. She praises its ease of use and versatility for creating images for various platforms, including LinkedIn and YouTube 3. inquires about other tools, and Kate mentions Flourish Studio for animating visuals and Datawrapper for creating static visualizations 4.

    Canva's text-to-image feature is amazing; it can create images in various art styles, making it a brilliant tool for data visualization.

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    These tools help streamline the process of making data visually engaging and accessible.

       

    Aesthetic Considerations

    Aesthetics play a crucial role in data visualization, as visually pleasing designs can make data stories more compelling. Kate emphasizes that while technical accuracy is important, the visual appeal can significantly impact how the information is received 5. She advises against using overly creative backgrounds and stresses the importance of intentional design choices 6.

    The best way to read text is with a white or off-white background; the same principle applies to data visualization.

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    Jon agrees, noting that intentional use of color and design can enhance the effectiveness of data communication.

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