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Designing Cool Data Visualizations:

How to Engage and Inspire
Stakeholders
You deal with complex data daily, and finding ways to effectively
visualize it isn’t easy—especially if you’re speaking to a non-technical
audience. The good news? It’s possible to create maps and graphs that
are so striking and memorable they wow stakeholders as soon as they
see them. But here’s the thing to keep in mind: there are specific
reasons some maps and graphs stand out more than others. If you
want to transform complex information into cool data visualizations that
impress stakeholders, there are strategies worth implementing.

Design Strategies for Cool Data Visualizations

8 Examples of Cool Data Visualizations
Design Data Visualizations that Impress

Design Strategies for Cool Data Visualizations

Let’s start by defining “cool data visualizations.” These are maps and graphs that are clear, compelling, and accurate, giving
stakeholders the insights they need to make informed decisions. Creating them requires high-quality software (think Surfer
and Grapher) and some essential design strategies. Here’s a closer look at those strategies to help you maximize the
impact of your data visualizations.

1. Know the “Why”

Before you even begin designing, ask yourself: why are you creating this visualization? What’s the core message, who’s your
audience, and in what context will they see it? Knowing your purpose, audience, and setting will help you shape both your
visuals and messaging effectively. And remember, not every audience is the same. Are they data-savvy experts or industry
newcomers? Tailoring the complexity of your graph to your audience ensures your message hits home.

2. Pick the Right Visual

With so many map and graph types, selecting the right one is crucial. Are you showing trends over time, comparing
categories, or spotlighting outliers? Choose a format that suits your goal. Line graphs are great for trends, and bar charts
spotlight comparisons—pick the tool that lets your data do the talking.
3. Remove Clutter
People can only absorb so much information at once, so it’s best to keep things simple. Strip out anything that doesn’t
serve your message, like excessive gridlines, flashy fonts, or too many colors. This doesn’t mean you can’t get creative! It
just means to use creative touches wisely to enhance readability and impact. For instance, a limited color palette can
separate categories, or a bold color can make a key data point pop. Patterns and textures are also great subtle touches to
differentiate without overwhelming.

4. Create Clear Labels

Ever heard of the Dual Code Theory? It suggests that information is more memorable when it includes visuals and text,
especially if you’re communicating complex data. That’s where clear labeling comes into play on your maps and graphs. To
reinforce understanding and retention, label your axes clearly and specify any units of measurement. If you’re working with
multiple data series, add a legend that’s straightforward but helpful. Better yet, consider placing labels directly on your data
points or lines, so your audience doesn’t have to hunt for context.

5. Prioritize Accuracy
Accuracy is everything when it comes to designing a great data visualization. Our recommendation? Watch out for pitfalls
like improper scaling, truncated axes, or choosing a graph type that doesn’t quite fit—these can easily lead to misleading
results. Also, start your axes at zero (unless there’s a solid reason not to) and be mindful of how your data is displayed to
keep your message clear. Another great tip: don’t forget to double-check your data and visual to make sure everything is a
true reflection of the information you’re sharing.

6. Emphasize Major Points

If you want stakeholders to walk away with the main takeaways from your data, emphasizing key points is essential. Think of
it as guiding their focus—use elements like color, placement, and size to spotlight critical insights. These techniques draw
attention to the most important data, ensuring that decision-makers know exactly where to look.

With this approach, you’ll tap into the Von Restorff Effect, also called the Isolation Effect. This psychological principle
suggests that items standing out in a group are more memorable. So, by highlighting specific insights in your data
visualization—like giving one or two bars in a chart a standout color—you’ll create a focal point that anchors attention and
boosts recall. It’s a simple but powerful way to make your maps and graphs stick in stakeholders’ minds.

7. Use Color Wisely

When it comes to color, less is often more. Too many colors can create visual noise, so use them wisely and with purpose.
Choose a limited palette to draw attention to specific data points and pick hues that carry meaning your audience will
intuitively recognize. Colors can evoke emotions and associations, so thoughtful choices can make your data visualizations
more impactful and memorable. For instance, a red color used for a contamination plume in a map immediately signals
urgency or danger, while a green line on a graph often suggests growth, safety, or positivity. These subtle choices make
your visuals resonate with stakeholders on a deeper level, helping them quickly grasp the story behind the data.

8. Ensure Its Accessible

When designing graphs, aim for accessibility so everyone can get the message. Use colors that work for those with color
vision impairments, ensuring key information is clear to every stakeholder. High-contrast colors and legible fonts are also
essential to make sure all viewers, including those with visual impairments, can read your data with ease.

9. Tell a Cohesive Story

Everyone loves a good story—whether it’s a novel, a film, or a powerful visual. Storytelling is memorable, which is why each
map and graph should aim to tell a clear, meaningful story for stakeholders. Framing your visualization within a narrative
structure enhances engagement and retention. So, guide your audience through your data by adding context where
needed, highlighting key points, and creating a logical flow that connects one insight to the next.
This doesn’t mean adding unnecessary details or fluff. It’s about making sure your data has context and that each part of
your visualization leads seamlessly to the next. By framing your data in a cohesive story, you’re not just sharing numbers—
you’re taking stakeholders on a journey that makes the information meaningful and memorable.

10. Continuously Refine

Creating a top-notch map or graph usually takes a few rounds of tweaking. So after your initial design, get feedback from
colleagues or test it with a small audience. Use their input to fine-tune your data visualization, making adjustments to boost
clarity, accuracy, and impact. Each revision will help polish your design and ensure your graph or map is delivering its
message loud and clear.

Another helpful trick? Start by pushing everything to the background, which forces you to be intentional about what you
want to highlight. Then, use “pre-attentive attributes”—like color, shape, size, orientation, and spatial position—to make key
data points pop. These attributes are processed by our brains almost instantly, so when considered and implemented
effectively, they can refine your data visualizations to ensure stakeholders zero in on important information without
consciously searching for it.

8 Examples of Cool Data Visualizations

Now that you know the design strategies to create great maps and graphs, it’s time to showcase examples that incorporate
these best practices. Here are eight data visualizations that are clear, compelling, and accurate, making them the very
definition of cool.

1. Shareholder ROI
Who created this graph: Golden Software

Software used: Grapher

Why this graph is cool: This graph is a textbook example of

clear, impactful data visualization. Designed for universal
understanding, it uses color intentionally—Orange Inc. in
bold orange, the Competitive Index in blue, and the less
relevant S&P 500 in subtle gray—to guide the viewer’s
focus. The main story, “Orange Inc. is doing 16% better than
the Competitive Index,” is reinforced with a mix of copy and
visuals, ensuring the takeaway is instantly clear. Clean,
clutter-free, and memorable, this graph tells a compelling
story of Orange Inc.’s outperformance over time.

2. Azores Region
Who created this map: Lester Anderson, structural
geologist and cartographer

Software used: Surfer

Why these maps are cool: These maps are an excellent

example of visualizing complex topographic data in an
accessible, engaging way, ideal for a broad audience.
Clearly labeled and thoughtfully designed, they make it
easy to explore the Azores—a breathtaking archipelago in
the mid-Atlantic known for its dramatic landscapes,
elevation changes, fishing villages, and lush pastures.

The color scheme is carefully chosen, with distinct shades

highlighting elevation changes that remain accessible to
around 90% of colorblind viewers. This thoughtful use of
color also gives an intuitive understanding of the varying
depths and heights, from ocean valleys to towering island
peaks.
Organized and clutter-free, the maps also tell the story of
the Azores’ unique geography and its relationship to the
surrounding seafloor. They seamlessly layer Global Multi-
Resolution Topography (GMRT) data, multibeam
bathymetry of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and detailed survey
data around the islands. Together, they create a cohesive,
accurate visualization, offering a vivid snapshot of the
Azores’ topography and its stunning natural beauty.

3. Causes of Attrition
Who created this graph: Golden Software

Software used: Grapher

Why this graph is cool: This graph is a powerful example of

how data visualization can uncover key insights with clarity
and impact. Designed for easy understanding, it uses color
thoughtfully—green for HRBP responses and blue for Exit
Survey responses—making it simple to distinguish between
data sets. The main takeaway is also clear: while the
company assumed training was driving attrition, both
HRBP and Exit Survey data reveal a different story. Career
advancement, not training, is the top reason employees are
leaving. This contrast highlights a crucial insight that may
encourage the company to revisit its retention strategies.
With a clean, clutter-free design, this graph combines copy
and visuals to tell a compelling, data-driven story that
challenges assumptions and suggests a fresh approach to
employee retention.

4. Travel Trends
Who created this graph: Golden Software

Software used: Grapher

Why this graph is cool: This graph is a standout example of

clear, engaging data visualization designed for decision-
making. Simple and uncluttered, it uses green to spotlight
Europe as the leader in booking recovery post-pandemic.
The upward trend since 2020’s dip is immediately clear,
with supporting text noting the return to pre-pandemic
levels. A question at the bottom—“Ideas to lock in 2023
booking projections?”—also adds an interactive touch,
prompting stakeholders to consider next steps. Overall, this
graph tells a story about the travel industry’s recovery,
while simultaneously highlighting Europe’s growth and
inspiring action.
5. Katoomba Valleys

Who created these maps: Peter Hatherly, geophysicist

Software used: Surfer

Why these maps are cool: These maps are exemplary, accessible visualizations of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.
Designed to be easily understood by a broad audience, they’re carefully labeled and use color effectively to highlight key
areas of interest. The first map provides a detailed 3D topographic representation of the Katoomba Valleys using public-
access LiDAR data, offering a striking and accurate view of geological features. The map’s carefully chosen colors also
ensure accessibility for about 75% of colorblind viewers, making it both visually impactful and inclusive.

The second map takes a more traditional topographic view, showcasing the typical landscape of the Katoomba Valleys. It
complements the 3D map by focusing on terrain and stream gradients, providing a straightforward, clutter-free look at the
area’s topography that’s also accessible to a majority of colorblind viewers. Together, these maps offer a comprehensive
view of this unique region.

6. Average Revenue per Event

Who created this graph: Golden Software

Software used: Grapher

Why this graph is cool: This graph is a strong example of

storytelling with data. Its clean, uncluttered design makes it
easy to understand, and the red line strategically highlights
the decline in holiday revenue over time, drawing
immediate attention to this trend. Clear labels and
accompanying text also reinforce the main takeaway:
holiday events are on a steady downturn, while categories
like weddings remain stable or show growth. By blending
visuals and text, this graph provides a compelling narrative
that helps stakeholders see where priorities might need to
shift, encouraging data-driven decision-making for the
future.
7. Crater Lake
Who created this map: Lester Anderson, structural
geologist and cartographer

Software used: Surfer

Why these maps are cool: This series of maps beautifully

captures Crater Lake in Oregon, showcasing the precision
of high-resolution LiDAR data. The primary map is clearly
labeled with a color gradient—from cool blues to warm reds
—that makes elevation changes instantly recognizable and
accessible to about 90% of colorblind viewers.

With a clean and uncluttered design, the maps allow the

lake’s landscape details to stand out, adjusting spatial
resolution based on zoom level: the full region is shown at
50m, a mid-range view at 10m, and a close-up of Wizard
Island at an impressive 3m resolution. This gradual focus
highlights how different levels of spatial resolution can
uncover increasingly fine details depending on the area of
interest.

Combining GMRT data for broader views and high-detail

LiDAR for close-ups, these maps offer layered insights
that stakeholders can easily interpret. The final close-up of
Wizard Island is particularly striking, showing the island’s
intricate landforms in precise detail. Altogether, the maps
present a rich, layered story of Crater Lake’s unique
topography, from expansive views to fine features.

8. California Fault Map

Who created this map: Lester Anderson, structural
geologist and cartographer

Software used: Surfer

Why this map is cool: This 3D map offers a stunning

perspective of California’s landscape, spanning from sea
level to desert mountains, with a clear legend indicating
elevation changes. Designed to be accessible for all
audiences, including around 90% of colorblind viewers, it
uses carefully selected colors to distinguish elevation and
fault lines, making key features easy to interpret.

The clean, uncluttered design combines a 3D surface view

with shaded relief, revealing how major fault systems shape
California’s rugged terrain. This map also effectively
illustrates the relationship between fault lines and
topography, providing a compelling look at how geological
structures define the state’s unique land.

Created using various features in Surfer, the map merges

multiple data sources to aid regional interpretation. A
Surfer base map integrates California’s fault database as a
shapefile, clearly defining fault lines, while GMRT data
offers a broad overview and ASTER data adds finer details
with 10m resolution. With an optimal angle chosen to
emphasize fault line trends, this map provides a clear,
visually engaging tool for exploring California’s geological
landscape.
Design Data Visualizations that Impress
Creating cool data visualizations isn’t as hard as it may seem. By implementing best design practices, you can design
meaningful maps and graphs that impress stakeholders—just like we’ve seen others do. So, want to try creating data
visualizations that are clear, compelling, and accurate?

Download 14-day free trial of Surfer and Grapher!

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December 12, 2024

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