Design Lead
Sep 23, 2024
At Datastory, our mission is to transform complex data into stories that inspire change. In this Q&A, we sit down with our Design Lead, Emmy Bäckström , to explore her journey, the creative process behind our platform, and how we’re helping users to tell compelling data stories, no matter their design background.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became a designer at Datastory?
Emmy: From a young age, I dreamed of having a job where I could be creative while making the world a better place. It was during high school when I read Hans Rosling’s autobiography that I truly understood the power of information design. That’s when I realized this was the career path I wanted to pursue.
I studied at Hyper Island, working on a variety of projects that helped me hone my skills. After trying out freelancing and working at an agency, I found my way to Datastory. What really drew me here was the mission of using data to tell the world’s most important stories in a way that people understand.
Q: What excites you most about working at Datastory?
Emmy: I love the mix of working directly with our partners to create compelling narratives for their data, and also contributing to our platform that allows anyone to tell stories with data.
The Datastory platform goes beyond traditional charts. It enables users to create entire websites packed with data-driven content, giving life to important stories that can drive real change. The thought of how many impactful stories we’ll help tell in the future keeps me inspired every day.
Q: Can you share a recent project that you’re particularly proud of?
Emmy: We are currently collaborating with the Tax Justice Network to communicate their data on global corporate tax abuse. I think this project will be very impactful when we launch it as we are making their key findings more engaging and easy to understand.
One of the things that excites me most is how the Datastory platform’s data management capabilities unlock new possibilities. We’re ensuring their complex data can be easily understood and drive meaningful conversations about corporate responsibility.
Want to learn more about how Tax Justice Network used Datastory to build a data-driven website? Read the full case study here.
Q: How does Datastory’s platform support users who might not have a design background?
Emmy: At Datastory, we want to radically simplify data storytelling. To do that, we need to offer a tool that handles a lot of the complex but important tasks (like chart design and page layout) for you. By offering a large selection of relevant templates for both charts and pages, users can focus on their story rather than getting hung up on design details.
While some users will be perfectly happy with the style defaults of the templates, others will need to align their content with brand guidelines. That’s why the platform makes it super easy to configure and apply your own theme.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to improve their data storytelling skills?
Emmy: When telling stories with data, it’s important to understand your audience and tailor your story to their needs. Keep your core message clear and focused. Use a narrative structure with a beginning, middle, and end to present context, data insights, and conclusions. Simplify complex data with clear visuals and avoid jargon. Humanize data with real-world examples and anecdotes. Explain why the data matters to add depth.
By combining analytical and narrative techniques, you can create compelling data stories that inform, persuade, and drive action.
At Datastory, we’re passionate about making data accessible and impactful. Whether you're a designer or someone with no design experience, we provide the tools you need to communicate complex information clearly and compellingly. Ready to transform your data into powerful stories?
Start your journey with Datastory today.
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