Why Graphic Designers Should Learn Data Product Design

In an era where data drives decisions and fuels innovation, the role of graphic designers is evolving. Traditionally, graphic designers have focused on aesthetics, creating visually appealing and impactful designs for print or static PDF format. However, the surge in data-centric applications and products presents a compelling reason for graphic designers to expand their skill set to include data product design. This fusion of disciplines can lead to more effective, engaging, and valuable user experiences.

The Convergence of Design and Data

Data product design involves creating tools, applications, interfaces, and digital documents that help users interact with and understand data that is displayed within other contextual information such as text and images. This field requires not only an understanding of data and its implications but also the ability to present this information in a clear, intuitive, and engaging way. This is where graphic designers excel. Their expertise in visual communication can transform complex data sets into accessible and actionable insights.

This Convergence Requires New Skills

Designers are extremely skilled in creating compelling layouts and content displays. However, when it comes to data, static representations can undermine even the best designs. Static data requires different slices of the information to be placed in separate images, increasing the page count exponentially and hindering users’ ability to make connections between graphs. Therefore, graphic designers need to acquire new skills in analytical interactivity. This involves creating interactive data designs that allow users to slice-and-dice, filter, and recalculate measures to understand different aspects of the data. Such interactivity often needs to be synchronized with the textual and visual content. The good news is that this is not rocket science and can be easily accomplished with tools like storieddata.com.

Enhanced User Experience

At the core of both graphic design and data product design is the user experience (UX). Graphic designers are trained to consider how users interact with their designs, ensuring that the visuals are not only attractive but also functional. In the context of data products, this skill is invaluable. Data can be overwhelming, and a poorly designed interface can make it even more daunting. Graphic designers can apply their knowledge of color theory, typography, layout, analytical and application interactivity to create interfaces that guide users through data intuitively, making it easier to digest and interpret.

Storytelling with Data

Graphic designers are natural storytellers. They use visual elements to convey messages and evoke emotions. Today, data has become the most convincing element in every story. The most common response to every proposal or presentation intended to influence some decision is: “show me the data.” When it comes to “showing the data”, storytelling is just as important. Data alone can be dry and difficult to relate to, but when presented as part of a narrative, it becomes more compelling and meaningful. Graphic designers can leverage their storytelling skills to highlight key insights, trends, and patterns within data, helping users to see the bigger picture and make informed decisions.

Competitive Advantage

In today’s competitive job market, versatility is a significant asset. By learning data product design, graphic designers can differentiate themselves from their peers. This additional skill set opens up new career opportunities in fields such as data visualization, UX/UI design, and product design. Companies are increasingly looking for designers who can bridge the gap between data science and design, ensuring that data products are not only functional but also engaging and user-friendly.

Collaboration with Data Scientists

Data product design often involves collaboration with data scientists and engineers. These professionals bring a deep understanding of data analysis and algorithms, but they may lack the skills to present their findings in a visually appealing way. Graphic designers can fill this gap, working alongside data scientists to create products that are both informative and aesthetically pleasing. This collaboration can lead to more innovative solutions and a more cohesive product development process.

The Growing Importance of Data Literacy

As data becomes more integral to business operations and decision-making, data literacy is becoming an essential skill for professionals across all fields. For graphic designers, understanding data and how to work with it can enhance their ability to communicate effectively. It allows them to create more relevant and impactful designs, as they can better understand the context and significance of the data they are presenting. This knowledge can also lead to more strategic thinking and a deeper appreciation of how their designs contribute to overall business goals.

Practical Applications

There are numerous practical applications for graphic designers who learn data product design. For example, they can create interactive dashboards that allow users to explore data dynamically, rather than just viewing static charts. They can design data-driven infographics that make complex information more accessible to a broader audience. They can turn multi page analytical reports, as those produced by banks and rating agencies, into monetizable data products. They can also develop interfaces for data analytics tools, ensuring that these tools are not only powerful but also user-friendly.

To learn more about the convergence of design and data contact us at info@storieddata.com