Why, Not How

A more theoretical session focused on the reasons why a particular data visualization convention exists, and when it’s okay to break it. The subject is chosen together by the mentor and mentee, perhaps informed by another exercise. The mentor presents/talks a little, then the mentee can ask questions.

Data Visualization Rules Examples and Discussion Inspiration*

• Does Data Visualization Have Rules? Or Is It All Just “It Depends”?

• Data Visualization - Reasons, Not Rules by Alberto Cairo

• Rules of Thumb in Visualization Analysis & Design

• Master the Rules - Then Break Them by Dieuwertje van Dijk

• Data Viz Design Principles

• Top Ten Chart Dos and Don’ts by Angela Zoss

• Data Visualization Checklist by Stephanie Evergreen (and check our her Rate your visualization tool)

• Real Chart Rules to Follow from FlowingData

• 7 Basic Rules for Making Charts and Graphs from FlowingData

• Eight Principles of Data Visualization by Ryan Bell

• The Little of Visualization Design (series of short tip articles) by Andy Kirk

• Helpful Articles by DataWrapper's Chartable blog

• Six Principles for Designing Any Chart by Manuel Lima (plus link to full guide)

• Data Visualization Principles: Lessons from Tufte by Mike Pantoliano

*Linked resources are provided as examples and are not exhaustive of everything the data visualization community has to offer. Please feel free to explore other resources and share what you find with mentorship@datavisualizationsociety.org so we can keep this page updated.