how do I get better at data storytelling?
This post helps you figure out where to focus next to become a better data storyteller. Explore five areas—learn, create, strategize, influence, and present—and find a curated podcast playlist to help you build the skills that matter most right now.
how to tell a story your audience doesn't want to hear
A story your audience doesn't want to hear isn't necessarily one they're rejecting; often, it's just not the story they expected. Discover how a few simple shifts in preparation and framing can turn resistance into a productive conversation.
SWD + AI: choose an appropriate visual
Explore how AI can help you choose the right visual for your data and quickly prototype options before investing in the final build. See the process in action with practical prompts, real-world examples, and lessons learned from testing multiple AI tools.
apply color thoughtfully in your graphs
Read a step-by-step guide to using color intentionally in your Excel bar charts to highlight exactly what matters most for your audience.
#SWDchallenge: whip up a waterfall
We challenged our community with waterfall charts many moons ago, but I’d love a fresh look. I have historically used waterfalls for sales breakdowns or cause-of-change analyses, and they also work for tracking HR headcounts, subscription data, or even score changes over the course of a sports match.
pre-reads and presentations are not the same
Asking a single slide deck to serve as a live presentation, a pre-read, and a post-meeting reference usually leads to compromise. Discover how tailoring your visual design to the delivery medium ensures your message actually lands.
using AI without giving up control
AI-generated charts are becoming more useful. Not because they're perfect, but because they're now editable. Explore a real makeover to see how this changes the data storytelling workflow while keeping human judgment at the center.
SWD + AI: craft a story
Use AI to help you shape a stronger story—without giving up the human judgment that makes it resonate. In this post, we use storyboarding and the narrative arc to turn raw ideas into a clear plan for a data-driven presentation.
can design be taught?
Good design isn't an innate talent reserved for a lucky few. Explore ten lessons—from audience focus to visual hierarchy—that can help anyone develop a stronger design eye.