Flowing Ideas: How to Master the Art of Sankey Chart Storytelling
Sankey diagrams, a visualisation tool derived from the fluid flow diagrams used by engineers like Sankey, are now widely used for representing transfer of energy, mass, or information from one place to another. They are particularly useful for showing causality and for visualizing large datasets in a concise manner. However, mastering the art of Sankey chart storytelling is more than just drawing lines and assigning numbers—it’s about crafting a compelling narrative that engages the audience and conveys complex information in an accessible way.
Understanding the Basics
At their core, Sankey diagrams are composed of several elements:
- Nodes: These represent the source and destination points. They are often represented as boxes.
- Arrows: These represent the flow between the nodes. The width of the arrow indicates the amount or quantity of the flow.
- Lines: In software where nodes are not marked explicitly, the flows appear as lines, and both volume and origin/destination points can be inferred.
Mastery begins with understanding how to effectively structure your data and then mapping it onto the diagram. The key is a clear and logical flow from input to output, whether it’s energy, resources, or data.
Crafting a Compelling Story
Drawing on the well-known structure of a classic narrative, a Sankey chart can tell a story in these stages:
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Introduction: Start with an overview of your data. This sets the stage for understanding your narrative. The first section of your diagram should introduce the key flows, showing the input quantities.
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Inciting Incident: This is where the key transformation or exchange begins. In a Sankey diagram, this is often indicated by a bifurcation of the flow. Start illustrating how your materials or data are being processed, transferred, or consumed.
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Conflict: This is where changes occur, either through unintended losses, bottlenecks, or transformations. Show how these alter the course of your narrative.
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Climax: The point of maximum intensity in your story, whether positive or negative. This might depict a critical transformation, bottleneck, or sudden loss.
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Resolution: The final outcome of your process. Clearly indicate where all the information, resources, or energy ends up, even if it’s ‘waste’ or ‘loss.’ This is crucial for understanding and processing the narrative.
Tips for Effective Communication
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Choose Your Data Wisely: Select the information most relevant to your narrative. Sankey diagrams work best with data that can be represented in a flow, such as energy or economic data.
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Label Clearly: Ensure your labels are concise, clear, and in an optimal location to be read. This isn’t just for the source and destination nodes; the flows themselves should be noted.
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Avoid Overcrowding: Too many flows or information can overwhelm your audience. Be selective with what you include.
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Consistency is Key: Use consistent colors and sizes throughout your diagram to maintain a unified look. This includes the scale of flows and the font size of labels.
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Use a Scale for Clarity: While scales can clutter your diagram, indicating the scale of your data in a clear and unobtrusive way can significantly improve comprehension.
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Practice: Like any skill, the best way to master Sankey chart storytelling is through practice. Experiment with different structures and data layouts to see what elicits the best response.
The Future of Sankey Chart Storytelling
As data visualization continues to evolve, we’ll see more advanced versions of Sankey diagrams, including interactive versions that allow users to zoom in, switch between different metrics, and see more in-depth information about specific flows. Embracing these advancements will continue to be key to telling your story more effectively.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of Sankey chart storytelling requires a deep understanding of how to craft a narrative, convey causality, and communicate complex data in a clear and engaging way. By understanding the structural elements of storytelling and the practical tips for creating effective diagrams, you can master the art of Sankey chart storytelling and communicate your data in a way that engages and informs your audience. Whether you’re a data analyst, educator, or simply someone with a story to tell, Sankey diagrams offer a powerful tool for communication.
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