Data visualization style guides are standards for formatting and designing representations of information, like charts, graphs, tables, and diagrams.

  • Have you used a data viz style guide?

    We are looking to interview people who have worked with data visualization branding and consistency.

    Fill out the practitioner form

  • Help with research questions

    We are looking for people to help answer common best practices questions to incorporate into guidelines.

    Fill out the research form

Data viz style guides often include explaining the what (e.g., types of charts), the why (e.g., reasons for using specific colors), and the how (e.g., tools or templates). Data visualization style guides can also fit within an organization’s larger design system and include how other guidelines, like brand standards or editorial guidelines, apply to data visualization. For example, they might specify how elements like a logo, brand colors, and language tone specifically apply to charts, tables, and diagrams.

Who we are

Amy Cesal is the Senior Design Director of Data Visualization at Morning Consult. She is a co-founder and advisory council member of the Data Visualization Society and a 3 time Information is Beautiful award winner. Amy holds a Master's Degree in Information Visualization from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she is an adjunct professor. She has pioneered the use of data visualizations style guidelines, and writes and speaks on the topic. LinkedIn

Jonathan Schwabish, PhD is a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute and is an economist, writer, teacher, and creator of policy-relevant data visualizations. He is considered a leading voice for clarity and accessibility in how researchers communicate their findings. Dr. Schwabish helps nonprofits, research institutions, and governments at all levels improve how they communicate their work and findings to their partners, constituents, and stakeholders. LinkedIn

Alan Wilson is a Principal Designer at Adobe. As an Experience Design Leader, he works with his team to keep the Adobe Marketing Cloud looking good. This includes everything from the UI and icons to component behaviors and patterns. But his biggest endeavor is to make data easier to understand through the effective use of data visualization and machine learning. LinkedIn

Maxene Graze With a background in biological and linguistic academic research, Max Graze has an interdisciplinary approach. By day, she's a Senior Data Visualization Engineer at King. By night, she explores innovative methods in data visualization, including multisensory representations that combine visual, auditory, and haptic stimuli to enhance understanding and engagement with data. Her work aims to bridge the gap between human experience and data analysis. LinkedIn