Chapter 8: Data Visualization: Styling Like a Pro

In the previous lessons we tackled best practices when it comes to interactive data visualization: storytelling, adding context, communicating status, using colors, avoiding distraction, and how to tell not show.

In this chapter we will learn the ways to style like a pro. We will see what tools we have at our disposal to efficiently implement and complete our vision when visualizing data.

8.1. Mastering Your Style in Looker Studio

In the last chapter, we covered best practices in data visualization, the art of storytelling, and how to choose the right chart. Here are some takeaways from the last chapter:

Tell, don't just show.

Remember that the goal of data visualization is to communicate information clearly and effectively. Ensure that your visualizations convey the message you want to present. Guiding your viewer through the story helps them understand the data and derive insights more easily.

Color with intention.

Colors play a significant role in data visualization. Use them wisely and consistently to enhance your viewer's understanding. For example, apply conditional formatting with red, green, and yellow to indicate negative, positive, and warning statuses, respectively. By doing so, you can draw attention to the most important aspects of your data.

Increase Data-Ink Ratio: Less is more.

Keep your visualizations clean and straightforward by reducing visual clutter. Focus on increasing the data-ink ratio – the proportion of ink used to display the data compared to the total ink used in the graphic. Simplify your charts by removing unnecessary elements and highlighting the most important information.

Now that we know how do we want to visualize data, let’s actually put it in action by mastering the tools at our disposal.

To make your visualizations stand out, it's crucial to become proficient with the tools you have at hand: to familiarize yourself with the features and functionalities of Looker Studio. The more comfortable you are with the tools, the more efficient and creative you can be in bringing your vision to life.

We have four main sections today: