Changemakers across any field — from business stakeholders to policy advocates — rely on data to support their work. And if you have information to share, an interactive dashboard is a powerful tool. In fact, a 2014 study found that students who interacted with information (rather than passively observing it) learned information more quickly and retained it for a longer period of time.
Let’s take a look at some examples of how you can use interactive dashboards to achieve your goals.
Reach More Audiences with Geographic Organization
Keeping track of a nation’s worth of data is no easy feat. But a dashboard that includes a clickable map can make that data both manageable and meaningful. Interactive maps:
- Help readers understand the material without being overwhelming.
- Enable readers to quickly find and focus on the areas that they care most about.
Additionally, an interactive map creates a great starting point for different levels of information. A mix of hover states and clickable areas means that you’ll be able to capture both high-level overviews and in-depth explorations in one handy package.
If you have a city’s worth of data (or more!), check out our past projects with American Academy of Pediatrics or the Seattle Department of Transportation for inspiration.
Drive Insights with Self-Paced Exploration
When you share information — from big announcements to monthly updates — it’s important that your information gets read. But regular emails or white papers can feel uninspired … and get deleted without a second glance. Sometimes, the trick to get readers engaged is by asking them to scroll through a dynamic experience. Interactive experiences offer:
- A sense of empowerment and discovery.
- A personal connection.
Delivering information via an interactive dashboard will return a sense of agency to your readers. A well-crafted dashboard will deliver information as viewers click or scroll, ensuring your data gets seen in a memorable way.
If you want to get people talking about the news you’re sharing, take a look at the interactive reports we created for Bluetooth and Ookla.
Get Buy-In with a Big Reveal
If you need your powers of persuasion to shine, an interactive experience may help you put your best face forward. A digital platform can help you leverage the benefits of dynamic transformation. Consider:
- Numbers that automatically count up or down.
- Visual elements that contribute to tone and/or urgency.
A dashboard transforms numbers and gives them a story — just what you need to communicate with your audience. An interactive experience, rather than a static one, can help create the drama your data deserves.
For examples of digital narratives, check out our work with Red Bull or the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Power of an Interactive Dashboard
Whether you’re sharing new data or exploring an exciting subject, great interactive media design engages readers and gets them invested in the information. And this easy-to-update format means that as your data changes, so can your story.
