Top 6 Notable Infographic Book Writers to Keep Tabs on in 2017

In today's data-driven world, the ability to effectively communicate complex information through engaging visuals is more important than ever. Here, we delve into the strategies shared by renowned experts and authors of best-selling infographic books, offering insights on how to craft compelling data stories.

1. Establish a Clear Purpose and Narrative

A successful data story begins with a clear objective and a well-defined narrative. Start by defining what story you wish to tell and what decision you aim to inform. This focus ensures your narrative remains relevant and impactful. Build a narrative arc that introduces a problem, reveals insights, and guides the audience towards a solution, keeping them engaged and interested.

2. Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is crucial in creating an accessible and engaging data story. Tailor your language and content to match their level of understanding, avoiding jargon and using clear, concise language.

3. Use Compelling Visuals

Choose appropriate visualizations that best illustrate your data. For example, use pie charts for proportions, bar graphs for trends, and heatmaps for densities. Strategically incorporate images and icons to add memorability and visual appeal to your infographic.

4. Add Emotional Connection

Use real-life examples and personal anecdotes to evoke emotions and make your data more relatable. Highlight key insights using annotations and labels to provide context and emphasize important findings.

5. Facilitate Interaction

Incorporate interactive tools, such as interactive dashboards or story-driven slides, to increase user engagement. Encourage exploration by providing links to additional data sources or background information.

6. Ensure Clarity and Credibility

Keep your visuals clear and easy to understand by simplifying and decluttering. Cite your sources to build credibility and offer further reading opportunities.

By following these tips, you can create engaging data stories that captivate your audience and drive meaningful insights and decisions.

Steven Heller, a prolific writer and editor on design and popular culture, views infographics as a "groundswell" that helps people understand or navigate through the swell of information. Alberto Cairo, author of the best-selling infographic book "The Functional Art" and a professor of visual journalism at the University of Miami's School of Communication, notes that the tools for producing complex dataviz work are becoming cheaper and more accessible.

Nathan Yau, creator of the popular dataviz blog "Flowingdata," and Randy Krum, known for his popular infographic inspiration blog "Cool Infographics," both offer unique perspectives on data visualization, exploring less-trodden waters in the business-oriented dataviz world and making even the driest subjects palatable, respectively.

Gareth Cook, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the editor of the best-selling book "The Best American Infographics," is renowned for his ability to turn boring data into compelling visuals. His work is popular in newsrooms exploring complex issues in politics, environment, science, and public health.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, a mathematician who combines data analysis with storytelling, offers practical lessons on data storytelling through her popular dataviz blog "Storytelling with Data." Her book, "Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals," is a handy manual packed with practical lessons.

Steven Heller, in his co-authored book "Infographic Designers' Sketchbooks," showcases the creative process behind the transformation of raw data into visuals. Nathan Yau's book, "Data Points: Visualization That Means Something," showcases ways to experiment with data beyond conventions. Randy Krum's book, "Cool Infographics: Effective Communication with Data Visualization and Design," explains the science and process behind effective infographic design.

In the age of information overload, deliberately designed infographics, as Steven Heller believes, are a necessity. Alberto Cairo's work sits at the intersection of statistical science, graphic design, cognitive theory, and journalistic investigation. His advice for creating good visuals is to have good information that has the potential to improve people's lives. Gareth Cook's advice for turning boring data into compelling visuals is to never lose sight of the story being told.

In conclusion, mastering the art of storytelling with data involves understanding your audience, choosing appropriate visualizations, and adding emotional connection, among other strategies. By following these tips, you can create engaging data stories that captivate your audience and drive meaningful insights and decisions.