mike cisneros, data storyteller

Specific focus areas: writing and editing SWD articles and books; developing new content for workshops and live events, podcasting

Promotional materials

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Social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Tableau Public

In their own words…

Where are you from?
I grew up in Massachusetts, spent most of my adult life in the Washington, D.C. area, and now live in Saint Paul, Minnesota with my wife and two cats.

Do you have a favorite chart type?
I love the versatility of a dot plot, as it allows readers to make both big-picture and granular comparisons in a compact and easy-to-understand format.

What inspired your interest in visualization?
As a child, I was always fascinated by maps of lands both real and imaginary, and how they helped to make abstract places and stories more tangible. Later, in my adult life, I found great satisfaction and value in being able to use tools like Tableau, Gephi, D3, and Illustrator to do something similar. I found I could use a combination of words, graphs, images, and visual metaphors to create interesting, meaningful, and layered stories for a broad audience—bringing together abstract ideas and discrete datasets to create clear and engaging narratives.

How do you spend your time outside of work?
I’ve finally hung up my gloves after a long career of goalkeeping in recreational soccer leagues; now, I spend my free time cooking, cycling, cat fancying, and participating in other pastimes that don’t start with “c”.

when simple charts are surprisingly confusing

In this insightful article, Mike explains how to transform a seemingly straightforward bar chart into a clear and impactful communication tool. By improving both the text and visual elements, you'll learn how to make your data more accessible and meaningful, ensuring your message resonates effectively with your audience.

your graph skeleton shouldn’t be spooky

With practical examples and step-by-step improvements, this articles demonstrates how to transform a distracting and cluttered chart into one with a well-organized structure that supports your data presentation. Don't let your graphs be scary; instead, master the art of creating visuals with good bones.

better than a big bar chart

This article covers strategies to effectively visualize and compare data series across multiple categories, moving away from confusing bar charts to more intuitive and visually appealing options. Whether you choose to "Fill the thermometer" or "Connect the dots," these practical strategies will help you present your data in a clear and impactful way, ensuring your audience can easily grasp key insights.

“the old way is better”

You may have experienced the common frustration of encountering resistance when trying to introduce new and improved methods to your audience. In this article, Mike explores the psychology of familiarity, and explains why people often perceive the old ways as better before he reveals some practical strategies for overcoming this resistance.

episode 72
Alberto Cairo and the art of insight

Alberto Cairo drops by to talk about his new book The Art of Insight, which offers a unique take on data visualization. In conversation with data storyteller Mike, Cairo shares his Camus-inspired belief that life's meaning comes from community and work, and how that conviction shapes his own interests and endeavors. They discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, how seemingly frivolous pursuits can actually be essential, and where to find personal and professional connection amidst ever-changing online communities. Eschewing the mantle of “thought leader,” Cairo reveals why he is reluctant to wield the "soft power" he holds in the data visualization community. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of responsibility, the political nature of work, and the human aspects behind visualization.

episode 66
designing in light and dark

Mike and Alex discuss the advantages and drawbacks of designing visualizations with light and dark backgrounds, using examples from SWD community members to highlight where each approach can be preferable. Then, they dive into history and discuss the staying power of some famous graphs. What makes them memorable—and how we might be able to elevate them, using modern tools and perspectives?

episode 54
storytelling, folklore, and data with Joshua Smith​ 

Data storyteller Mike Cisneros sat down with Iron Viz champion, Tableau Visionary, and self-described “data jackalope” Joshua Smith to talk about how folklore—the study of how information is communicated, primarily through informal means—provides us a fascinating lens through which to examine how data visualization has evolved and continues to develop, both as a discipline and as a community of practitioners. You’ll learn how “best practices” emerge, transform and persist (or are discarded) over time, how informal communication and culture can have unexpected effects on how our work is received, the inextricable links between belief and “objective” data, and how a storyteller can position themselves to be most effective.