Design

Since you're viewing this on social media, this post is for you. It's for everyone who posts on social media. Many folks — including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders and those in the disability and accessibility space — don't realize how easy it is to make social media content accessible. Here's a reference guide to help you remember. Pick one thing. Start there. Make it a habit. Once you do, move on to the next thing. I suggest starting with hashtags. Super easy. I'm always learning and evolving my accessibility efforts. I used to be a little more freewheeling about using animated GIFs and emojis. Animated GIFs can be a problem for me. Now, I only post them on social media platforms that don't automatically play them. (Facebook and Twitter.) Another thing I used to do was add an opening line to arouse curiosity. Then, I'd enter a few blank lines after that. Thankfully, I quickly learned this is a problem for some disabilities where a lot of scrolling is a challenge. Here are the dos and don'ts in the image. (If you need an image with larger text or different color background, please reach out. A black or white background doesn't work for some folks. So, light purple it is.) - Skip the fancy font generator. Don't use fancy font generators or unreadable fancy fonts. - Be thoughtful about using emojis. Don't overuse emojis. - Be descriptive yet concise in describing images (alt text). Don't fill alt text with useless keywords. SEO. Blah. Blah. Blah. - Describe images in alt text. Don't use automatic alt text. - Limited use of animated GIFs. Don't use them in signatures, avatars, or comments. The motion is sickening for some folks. Add alt text, too. - Use one blank line between paragraphs. Don't use a lot of blank lines or omit blank lines between paragraphs. - Use sentence case. Don't use all caps because it has no visual shape. Please stop yelling. - Capitalize the first letter of each word in hashtags and user names. #CamelCaseRocks. The other hashtag is #YouCannotReadLowercaseHashtags in all lowercase - Check the color contrast on your images and text/background with a free tool. Don't assume an image or text/background pairing is accessible for everyone. - Caption your videos accurately. Don't let autocraptions do all the work. Edit them. - Provide transcripts for podcasts and videos with short paragraphs and speaker identification. Don't publish transcripts with big blocks of text. I hope this image is an improvement based on feedback. I changed the font. I change the light grey to light purple. P.S. What will you do differently after reading this? Comment below. Want training on how to make your content accessible? ✉️ me 🔔 Tap the profile bell now 👉 Find more #MerylMots content #SocialMedia #DigitalMarketing #Accessibility Image: Dos and don'ts for accessible social media with the left side listing what to do and the right side showing what not to do to make social media content accessible.

Choosing the right chart is half the battle in data storytelling. This one visual helped me go from “𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞?” → “𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 10 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬.”👇 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚: 🔹 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧? • Few categories → Bar Chart • Over time → Line Chart • Multivariate → Spider Chart • Non-cyclical → Vertical Bar Chart 🔹 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩? • 2 variables → Scatterplot • 3+ variables → Bubble Chart 🔹 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? • Single variable → Histogram • Many points → Line Histogram • 2 variables → Violin Plot 🔹 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? • Show part of a total → Pie Chart / Tree Map • Over time → Stacked Bar / Area Chart • Add/Subtract → Waterfall Chart 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬: • Don’t overload charts; less is more. • Always label axes clearly. • Use color intentionally, not decoratively. • 𝐀𝐬𝐤: What insight should this chart unlock in 5 seconds or less? 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: • Charts don’t just show data, they tell a story • In storytelling, clarity beats complexity • Don’t aim to impress with fancy visuals, aim to express the insight simply, that’s where the real impact is 💡 ♻️ Save it for later or share it with someone who might find it helpful! 𝐏.𝐒. I share job search tips and insights on data analytics & data science in my free newsletter. Join 14,000+ readers here → https://lnkd.in/dUfe4Ac6

When it comes to #datavisualization 📊, there’s a lot of focus on choosing the right chart for your data. For example, you’ll hear about the four basic types of #data charts (comparison, composition, distribution, and relationship) and how you need to make sure your chart is appropriate for the data set. Choosing the right chart in #datastorytelling is only the beginning as you also need to decide what you’re going to emphasize within each data chart. Are you focusing on specific values (micro) or the overall shape (macro) of the data? Even though you might have chosen an appropriate chart, its design may not support the point you’re trying to make. From a MICRO perspective, you may want to emphasize how Campaign A performed compared to the other campaigns in April. When the results are side by side in the same chart, it’s easier to compare specific values. From a MACRO perspective, you might want to show how the results for Campaign A peaked in April. It’s easier to see the shape of the data when it is separated into separate charts (small multiples), and the different campaigns aren't overlapping. Some people might say, “I want to show both.” While it’s certainly possible, your chart will be more complex and potentially overwhelming. When you try to do too much by showing both micro and macro perspectives, you can weaken the power of your visual. You increase the likelihood that the audience may entirely miss the point you’re trying to communicate. I would recommend determining which is the main priority (micro or macro) and focusing your data scene on that perspective. Nothing stops you from showing both perspectives separately if they're both important to your narrative. What other factors shape how you design the visuals of your data stories? #storytellingwithdata #analytics #businessintelligence #dataviz #datavisualisation

The conversion of office spaces into mixed use buildings with a strong residential element is an essential strategy to not just create more vitality in any urban center in the U.S. but it's also required to create more critically needed housing options across the whole socio-economic spectrum of urban residents. Chicago can and should be a pioneer in this massive building conversion initiative that the recently approved "LaSalle Street Reimagined" initiative is focused on. The Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Grant stresses an important advantage for Chicago's downtown when he writes: "Chicago is fortunate in having many buildings developed before World War II that have the right design for conversions. Many of these properties currently face financial distress, but those problems could pave the way for conversions. Their eventual resolution will likely involve a new owner paying a discounted price, which would make a conversion more financially viable." Chicago's conversion strategy, now led by our outstanding Planning Commissioner, Ciere Boatright, could be a role model for other cities in the U.S. , since the private/public initiative will create over 1,000 apartment units with one third classified as affordable. Chicago can reimagine its downtown core as the most inclusive urban core in the U.S., if we continue executing and broadening this private/public partnership approach.

5 accessibility features you might not know about. Slack: When you send an audio message or video message on Slack, it's automatically transcribed. Google Chrome: In your Google Chrome settings, you can turn on autocaptions. Every time Chrome detects audio in your browser window, a box will pop up with autocaptions. You can move it and enlarge it or close it. Loom: Loom videos are automatically captioned and you can also open up a transcript in a side panel. Zoom: In your "In Meetings (Advanced)" settings, toggle on automated captions and full transcript. Takes less than a minute to do and activates these features for all future Zoom meetings. LinkedIn: When uploading a video to LinkedIn, captions are automatically generated and you're able to edit them to make corrections. Which of these tips will you start using? #Accessibility #DigitalAccessibility #DisabilityInclusion

8 out of 10 analysts struggle with delivering impactful data visualizations. Here are five tips that I learned through my experience that can improve your visuals immensely: 1. Know Your Stakeholder's Requirements: Before diving into charts and graphs, understand who you're speaking to. Tailor your visuals to match their expertise and interest levels. A clear understanding of your audience ensures your message hits the right notes. For executives, I try sticking to a high-level overview by providing summary charts like a KPI dashboard. On the other hand, for front-line employees, I prefer detailed charts depicting day-to-day operational metrics. 2. Avoid Chart Junk: Embrace the beauty of simplicity. Avoid clutter and unnecessary embellishments. A clean, uncluttered visualization ensures that your message shines through without distractions. I focus on removing excessive gridlines, and unnecessary decorations while conveying the information with clarity. Instead of overwhelming your audience with unnecessary embellishments, opt for a clean, straightforward line chart displaying monthly trends. 3. Choose The Right Color Palette: Colors evoke emotions and convey messages. I prefer using a consistent color scheme across all my dashboards that align with my brand or the narrative. Using a consistent color scheme not only aligns with your brand but also aids in quick comprehension. For instance, use distinct colors for important data points, like revenue spikes or project milestones. 4. Highlight Key Elements: Guide your audience's attention by emphasizing critical data points. Whether it's through color, annotations, or positioning, make sure your audience doesn't miss the most important insights. Imagine presenting a market analysis with a scatter plot showing customer satisfaction and market share. By using bold colors to highlight a specific product or region, coupled with annotations explaining notable data points, you can guide your audience's focus. 5. Tell A Story With Your Data: Transform your numbers into narratives. Weave a compelling story that guides your audience through insights. A good data visualization isn't just a display; it's a journey that simplifies complexity. Recently I faced a scenario where I was presenting productivity metrics. Instead of just displaying a bar chart with numbers, I crafted a visual story. I started with the challenge faced, used line charts to show performance fluctuations, and concluded with a bar chart illustrating the positive impact of a recent strategy. This narrative approach helped my audience connect emotionally with the data, making it more memorable and actionable. Finally, remember that the goal of data visualization is to communicate complex information in a way that is easily understandable and memorable. It's both an art and a science, so keep experimenting and evolving. What are your go-to tips for crafting effective data visualizations? Share your insights in the comments below!

At Maven Analytics, we see a TON of reports, dashboards and infographics designed for our monthly data challenges. Here are 5 of the most common data viz mistakes that we see: 🙅♂️ Pies & donuts with too many segments Humans are bad at comparing angles. Use bar or column charts instead, or limit donuts to 2-3 slices max. 🙅♂️ Line charts for categorical comparisons Line charts should be used to show trends. Using them for categorical data (vs. time-series) is misleading, and can suggest relationships or patterns that don't exist. 🙅♂️ Treemaps for non-hierarchical data Treemaps are designed to show hierarchies (like subcategories within categories). For simple categorical comparisons, use a bar or column chart instead. 🙅♂️ Unsorted data Don't expect viewers to make their own visual comparisons. Use intuitive sorting rules to organize your data and tell a clear story. 🙅♂️ Too much noise, too little focus While it's tempting to add background images, complex custom visuals or crazy 3-D effects, remember that effective data visualization is all about minimizing noise and maximizing clarity. Datafam, what other common visualization mistakes have you seen? #data #datavisualization #businessintelligence

Not getting another interview after your portfolio presentation? Maybe this is why 👇 I've sat in many portfolio presentations. I also work with numerous mentees, helping shape their stories. The biggest mistake I always see is not showcasing the why behind your work. Context. So many presentations go like this: - Hi, it me 👋 - Here's my first case - Here is a persona I made - Here is another persona I made - Here is an arbitrary user flow - Here is a sketch I made - Here is a wireframe I made - Here is the final solution - I learned a couple of things Your presentation should be a story, not a simple show and tell. Don't just tell your audience WHAT you did. Tell them WHY you did it. The why connects your thought process to your design. We want to hear what drove your decisions. Paint a vivid picture of the challenges you faced, the insights you stumbled upon, and the brainstorms that led to breakthroughs. What separates you from other designers is how you think and your design decisions. ✅ Frame your failures ✅ Dissect your decisions ✅ Incorporate your successes ✅ Create a beginning, middle, and end ✅ Show the path from initial idea to final Each slide and each statement should reveal a bit more about your thinking process. Details matter. Subtleties matter. They all add up to a powerful narrative. When your presentation is infused with purpose and passion, your work shines. It demonstrates your technical skills and your capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathetic understanding. And that's what sets you apart. Not just the sheer quality of your work but also the depth of thought put into it. Make them remember what you did and why you did it. Because, in the end, it's the why that truly matters. ------------------------------------- 🔔 Follow: Mollie Cox ♻ Repost to help others 💾 Save it for future use

Dashboards should be designed for action, not data. Most dashboards contain plenty of data. Dozens of metrics and pretty charts. We've been taught that data drives action, but in practice, it rarely does. As you build your dashboards & and reports, consider the question: What is the user's "next best action"? Then, build solutions to prompt (or enable) that action. Some examples of "next best action": 1.) More Data Sometimes, the user will have more questions. That's ok! We build in self-service filters, segments, and drill-downs to dive in deeper. Self-service > fewer questions for the data team > faster time to action. 2.) Related Data Most businesses will have dozens of reports, often fragmented and disjointed. We can build links to bridge between the reports. Additionally, those links can be dynamic to carry through important filters (date ranges, segments applied) and help users keep their contextual flow. Less time hunting for reports > faster action. 3.) Sharing the data Once users find interesting data, they want to save it or send it to a coworker or client. Enable sharing via email, slack, raw export, etc. Sharing > More distribution > more action. 4.) Actions in another platform (Shopify, Meta, Salesforce, etc) Based on the data, users will need to make a change in another tool. Take someone in merchandising. They see product reports showing that certain products have low conversion rates, likely due to dwindling inventory levels. We can build a link in the dashboard that takes them DIRECTLY to the Shopify admin portal to the product setup and re-merchandise their collection. With one click, they've gone from data > to action. Fewer clicks > faster action. 5.) Alerts Users may see a number and wish they knew about it sooner. For this we setup alerts (email, slack, sms, webhook, etc.) Faster alerts > faster action. Our goal is to transform data-heavy dashboards into tools for action. Consider: - Can we make them more self-service? - Can users set up alerts? - Can they export and share the data easily? - Can we link tools and reports together to avoid context switching? - Can we automate the data to drive action? Are there any tricks you're using to make your dashboards more actionable? #businessintelligence #looker #ecommerceanalytics #measure

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often discussed in terms of risks, but its positive impact, especially in enhancing creativity, is equally significant. In the Marvel Universe, AI aids characters like Tony Stark and Shuri in achieving remarkable innovations. In the real world, AI can similarly boost creative processes. Here are five ways AI does this: 1. Enhancing Ideas and Concepts: AI tools like ChatGPT help overcome creative blocks by offering insightful suggestions. These tools are best used not as sources of finalized ideas but as aids to develop and refine existing concepts. 2. Streamlining Creative Processes: AI can automate tasks, speeding up production and freeing up time for the creative aspects of projects. For example, AI in game development can identify bugs and performance issues far faster than humans, allowing developers to focus more on creative elements. 3. Providing New Perspectives: By analyzing data, AI can offer new insights that inspire creativity. Tools like Salesforce Einstein deliver real-time recommendations, simplifying decision-making processes. 4. Amplifying Human Creativity: AI-powered tools in music and other arts can work alongside humans to enhance their creative output. For instance, AI music software can suggest chords and beats, fostering new musical creations. 5. Enabling New Possibilities: AI takes on routine tasks, allowing humans to focus on innovation and self-expression. This not only improves current creative endeavors but also paves the way for new industries and achievements. The creative process originates in the human mind, with AI serving to enhance and refine ideas. As AI technology advances, embracing its potential to augment creativity could lead to achieving previously unimaginable goals. As Tony Stark said, "Sometimes you gotta run before you can walk. #ai #creativity #gamedev