Learning
I learned that storytelling is not simply about creative sparks but about systematic structuring. By analysing many examples, I discovered common strategies that make stories engaging: careful pacing, highlighting of outliers, building complexity gradually. I also learned to frame storytelling as a design challenge, balancing audience attention with analytical depth.
Impact
The presentation helped students see storytelling as a structured process they could replicate, not just an art form. It gave them tools to approach their own data projects with narrative intent.
Challenge
The hardest part was deciding where to draw the line, since storytelling is such a broad topic. Selecting examples that were strong enough to be teachable while still covering the spectrum of possibilities required careful curation.
Description
This teaching project was about exploring the logic of storytelling in data visualisation. I started by outlining the objectives of data storytelling: from communicating insights in a more engaging way, to explaining complex models, to reconstructing historical processes through data. Because humans are naturally drawn to stories, framing data in this way makes it easier for audiences to connect emotionally and intellectually. I introduced the four-step arc: set context, start simple, add excitement (through outliers, unexpected patterns, or complexity), and finish with a conclusion. This arc was supported with real-world examples where these steps were visible. I also presented the Martini glass structure, where the author first tells a story and then opens exploration to the user, and the distinction between author-driven vs. reader-driven storytelling. Throughout, I used a mix of case studies and practical breakdowns, ensuring students not only saw how stories were made but also understood how to structure their own.
Topics
Data storytelling, author-driven, viewer-driven, user perspective
Tools
Storytelling concepts related to data visualisation
Year
2020 updated 2023
Clients
IE University, Arcada University, NOVA and more
