The idea of Data Storytelling is to convey insights in the simplest possible format. Data Visualization is an essential tool that makes complex data visually consumable. However, data visualizations can be presented in multiple formats. Presenting data stories as GIFs is a wonderful way to tell insights in mere seconds.
Last Friday we organized the Data Storytelling Hackathon at our Bangalore and Hyderabad offices with a goal to narrate insights as Data GIFs.
Examples of Data GIFs From the Hackathon
“If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many is a GIF worth? When words do not suffice to evoke an emotion from your audience, give a GIF a go.”
Daniele Lazzoni
We can now proudly say that GIFs are not just about cats doing cute things (Although they are super cute, hands down). You’ll also find informative GIFs backed with solid data.
Here are some data GIFs on multiple topics like productivity, sports, politics, health, and commerce. The intent of these GIFs is to present insights in as low time as 10 seconds. The participants tagged us the data GIFs on Twitter and we are embedding the same here.
Go to any embedded tweet and click the play icon to check out the GIF.
1. Data GIF on Effective Note Taking
2. Data GIF on Shades of Death in New York City
3. Data GIF on Flights and Carbon Emission
4. Data GIF on Decades of USD to INR Currency Fluctuations
5. Data GIF on the Sad Truth of Table Reservation in Fine Dines
6. Data GIF on Sanitation in India
7. Data GIF on Cricket Teams Winning Their First Test Match
8. Data GIF on Death Tolls in the World from Various Diseases
9. Data GIF on Indian Population
10. Data GIF on Bio of Hollywood Stars
11. Data GIF on NIFTY 50 Sector Composition Over Years
12. Data GIF on Crimes Against Children
13. Data GIF on Worldwide Production of Pharmaceuticals
14. Data GIF on Water Consumption in India
Why Data Stories as GIFs?
GIFs are the staple currency of social media humor. The dancing images immediately attract eyeballs. We see GIFs as memes on the internet and can’t stop laughing. Similarly, GIFs can also convey important information, say Data Insights, in a jiffy.
There could be a gazillion reasons for why we should use GIFs in Data Stories.
- GIFs are easy to share as they are not heavy files like infographics and videos.
- They are funny and add humor to information.
- They are mobile-friendly and anyone can access them, including via e-mail.
- Content in GIF repeats itself aiding in creating memorable experiences.
- GIFs are trending and their peppy nature makes them entertaining.
- They are social media friendly and can have a wider reach in any community.
Check out Data Stories from Other Hackathons at Gramener
The Data Storytelling Hackathons is a tradition at Gramener. We organize it on the 2nd Friday of every month. For more data stories, check out the links to our early hackathons.
- Data Talkies: Video Data Stories and Visualizations with a Play Button
- Physical Data Visualizations: Did you know, you could touch data?
- Visual data Storytelling examples to inspire you to create data narratives
- Data Storytelling Bootcamp bestowed a flood of insights and stories
How to Create GIFs?
- Here’s a short tutorial on how to create GIFs.
- If you are a Photoshop user, here is a nice tutorial that teaches how to create GIFs using Photoshop.
- Another tutorial that explains how Illustrator & Photoshop can be combined to create a GIF.
- You can create gifs using Sketch as well.
Join Us for the Next Hackathon
With Hackathon every month, we learn new formats to present data insights. We learn to make data more exciting.
Our monthly episodes of hackathon invite data enthusiasts from all across the city. Together we celebrate the second Friday of every month with data, visualizations, and stories. You can join us any month by registering through meetup.
Check Out Our Data Storytelling Workshop
Gramener’s data storytelling experts offer great learning to business users, expert analysts, and data scientists who struggle to convey insights as data stories. This data storytelling workshop offers hands on experience and teaches various techniques of data storytelling. Learn how to create data stories in easy steps.
So, how did you like our Data GIFs? Comment down and let us know. Share these lovely GIFs with your friends and encourage them to make one. However, if you have made one share it with us on Twitter.
