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Marketing & Sales
Apr 21, 2017

A Fresh Take On Data Visualization

Sponsored Content provided by Jim Ellis - Vice President, Account Director, Signal

Data visualization is at a watershed moment. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a new data visualization program, but we’re far from reaching what Visual Matters calls “peak dataviz.”

The fact is that our brain’s visual wiring means that infographics are the most effective way to communicate data. And we’re still in the early stages of transitioning to a future where data-driven storytelling, fueled by the prevalence of Big Data across all industries, will be the norm.

Stay ahead of the curve with these current data visualization trend.

 

Don’t forget the story.
 
 
It’s not enough to simply choose the right data set. Your infographic must tell a clear and captivating story, with key data points as the main characters. Think about the success of the graphics organizations at publications like FiveThirtyEight, the New York Times and USA Today – all master storytellers who use data to take readers on a journey.
 
Think “social first.”
 
Social sharing should be top of mind when you build narratives around your data. Create snackable infographics, to be consumed in social feeds where they can hook viewers on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, like these lively examples from one of our recent campaigns for Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill.
 
Keep it moving.
 
 
With the evolution of technology, data visualization is moving more toward animation and interactivity. How can you engage your audience in your data narrative with movement? This awesome data visualization shows how powerful an addition animation can be.
 
Make it easy to be green.
 
 

 
Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017 into your infographics. Greenery 15-0343 is the color they say predicts visual and design trends for the year to come. It’s about new beginnings, freshness and a renewed focus on our environment. Other popular colors predicted for 2017: khaki, olive green, red brick, maroon and charcoal gray.

 
Data visualization is key to helping us process and use vast amounts of raw data. Hopefully this can help you tell your best story.

Jim Ellis has over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy and implementation throughout a variety of industry sectors. Since 1999 he has been with Signal, a digital agency based in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina. Signal has proven strengths serving as the “local agency” for global companies, generating solid results in web design, brand identity, mobile app development, digital strategy and more. Jim provides counsel to many of the agency’s largest clients with an eye toward integrated communications and a vast knowledge of both traditional and modern practices. As a songwriter and musician with a business degree, he believes his artistic/corporate “dual personality” gives him added perspective to be an effective liaison between clients and Signal’s talented creative team. Originally from Ohio, Jim graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Business Administration.
 

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