I've seen and built quite a few dashboards and other data visualisation  projects.

 

I've felt the frustration when users don't understand them and the triumph when they do.

 

I like to think I got better at it over time, but it doesn’t come automatically. I still look for guidance from time to time to make sure I’m not getting lost in all the details, missing the mark of what 'good' feels and looks like.

 

Inspired by the chaos of poorly collected requirements, disappointed users, beautiful dashboards that lead nowhere, and confusing reports that proliferate like weeds, came the idea of crafting something that could serve as a good set of universal guidelines, that I could rely on, to make sure I’m on track - even when all feels like a bit too much.

And so, my Data Design Manifesto was born.