#SWDchallenge: bring on the bubbles

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This month for the #SWDchallenge, we are asking you to create a specific type of visual: a bubble chart. 

Bubble charts allow the comparison of multiple dimensions at once. Data points are placed on an X and a Y axis, and then additional characteristics (like colour, size, marker type, and possibly motion) can be used to encode even more elements. What starts out essentially as a scatter plot can quickly become complicated, far less intuitive than a simple bar or line chart, and to an unfamiliar audience, confusing and overwhelming. 

These feelings of confusion are due to the human brain’s limited short-term memory. We can only store only about four pieces of visual information at once, so a five-dimensional bubble chart taxes our working memory, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed.

Despite this, it is possible to create an effective and engaging bubble chart. The mention of this particular visual may remind you of the late Hans Rosling, who presented them brilliantly in videos for the BBC and TED talks. For this challenge, you are going to channel your inner Hans. 

The challenge

Find some data of interest that will lend itself well to being represented with a bubble chart, and create that visual using your tool of choice. 

As you’ve learned, even the best designed bubble charts can be challenging for an audience to interpret at first glance. As part of this challenge, think about how you can make things easier for the viewer by leveraging at least one of these strategies in your design.

Include a takeaway observation or call to action.  Consider what people should do with the information you are sharing. Use words to highlight an interesting discovery within the visual, or create a clear takeaway title based on your recommended course of action (make assumptions freely for the purpose of this challenge).

Use interactivity. Dynamic visuals can educate the audience about how to read the chart through tooltips and navigation features like animation and filters. If you decide to build interactivity into your submissions, please share the link to the design in the commentary. 

Go full Hans Rosling and animate and narrate through the chart progression. Build your bubble chart and then consider how you would talk your audience through the key points. Then, record yourself stepping through the progression or annotate the key talking points in the commentary. This highlights the crucial role YOU play in how your graph is received and is a great way to help your audience become familiar with a more complicated visual. Video submissions are now enabled for the #SWDChallenge! All common file formats are accepted.

If you need help finding a data source, check out this list of publicly available data for inspiration. Real-world work examples could also work as long as you anonymize appropriately.  

Share your beautiful bubbles in the SWD Community by Monday, July 31st at 5PM ET. If there is any specific feedback or input that you would find helpful, include that detail in your commentary. Take some time to browse others’ submissions, too, and share your input via comments and data points over the course of the month.

Related Resources

A few suggestions for understanding bubble charts and practical tips on creating them are mentioned below. If you are aware of other good ones, please share them in your submission commentary.