Be Real: Why real-life data and visualizations make the best examples

Style guides can be difficult to follow when all guidance remains abstract. Real examples reduce that friction.

When teams use authentic data and realistic chart scenarios, readers can better understand both the rule and the reason behind it. The Urban Institute example library is a strong model of this approach.

Compared with artificial data, real cases provide stronger context and make guidance more transferable to day-to-day chart work.