Between Story & Statistic

Storytelling and data are a powerhouse combination when done right. Complex data can often feel either too overwhelming or too simplified if not backed with the right design, treatment, and most importantly, the right visual tone.

As graphic designers working with data for both commercial and personal projects, we’ve often found ourselves navigating the line between story and accuracy.

When does storytelling help make data more human, and when does it start taking something away? Why do some visual choices feel instinctively “right” while others, though technically sound, seem slightly off? What gets lost when we simplify or dramatise a story?

Through this talk, I’d like to share some examples of our work along with a peek into our process where both form and function strike a good balance. From topics like climate change, healthcare, commercial travel, and cinema to more personal explorations where we turn everyday experiences into data stories.

Beyond a showcase, the talk will offer a peek behind the process: moments where we’ve had to compromise on aesthetics for accuracy, or tone down narrative to keep nuance intact.

Who is it for: Designers, researchers, and early-career practitioners who work with or communicate data, and often find themselves wondering how far to go with storytelling.

What participants will take away:

• Ways to decide when narrative helps vs when it distorts
• Visual metaphors that make complex data easier to grasp
• Design moves that unintentionally shift meaning or lose nuance
• Simple frameworks to balance clarity, empathy, and honesty