In practice we see two very different types of dashboards. The first, the literal translation that evaluators tend to latch onto, is the dashboard that gives you all the data you need at your fingertips. These are hard to build because you need to both have the data your audience really needs AND actually understand […]
Reporting for the Small Screen
Just a guess here, but I don’t think smart phones are going away anytime soon. I think it’s time to really start focusing on how we can use the technology as a reporting tool. And stop pretending that it’s not the place where a large number of our stakeholders engage with our programs on a […]
What is diydatadesign in 28 cartoons.
So I’ve been running a digital data design workshop now for several months, and the feedback I’ve received from those inside of it is awesome. But there are a lot of people still on the fence, not sure about what the workshop is exactly, what it involves, or if it’s for them. I get that. […]
Creating GIFs to Explain Charts
So who has time to read the small print? We are in an age where even large print is rarely read. Unfortunately there a lot of really good charts that require at least a little bit of explanation. So how do we convey that information to the audience? Could we use a GIF? What are […]
Stop trying to build a dream dashboard
I believe in the power of big dreams. I really do. Want to end world hunger? Awesome. Want to make sure that everyone in your city has a warm/dry place to sleep at night? Fantastic. Trying to build schools in areas devastated by global conflict? Go for it! But a dream dashboard? There is another name […]
Is the long report solution really a one page PDF?
Each morning, before I even put on the coffee, I check my pdf archive. Then I go to work, start up my computer, and immediately check my work pdf archive. Then I keep it on all day, sitting in the background letting me know when I have new pdfs to access. Of course I need […]