Data Viz Excellence, Everywhere https://visualisingdata.com/ Andy Kirk - Independent data visualisation expert Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:03:06 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://visualisingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SiteFavicon-150x150.png Data Viz Excellence, Everywhere https://visualisingdata.com/ 32 32 Explore Explain S6E6 – Nicola Rennie & Ansgar Wolsing https://visualisingdata.com/2026/02/explore-explain-s6e6-nicola-rennie-ansgar-wolsing/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:33:15 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32931 Welcome to episode 6 of season 6 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design. I am delighted to welcome Nicola Rennie, Data Visualisation Specialist based in the UK, and Ansgar Wolsing, Principal Data & Analytics Consultant based in Germany.

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Welcome to episode 6 of season 6 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design. I am delighted to welcome Nicola Rennie, Data Visualisation Specialist based in the UK, and Ansgar Wolsing, Principal Data & Analytics Consultant based in Germany.

In this episode we explore five pieces each of their wonderful contributions to the annual ‘30 Day Map Challenge‘ campaign, as well as two of their favourites from other participants. Launched in 2019, by Topi Tjukanov, the idea is to create and publish maps based around different themes across each day of November using the hashtag #30DayMapChallenge. 

Here are links to the works explored during this episode, in order:
  • Ansgar: Day 3 Polygons, “Challenge Classic: Create a map focused on area features (e.g., administrative regions, land use, boundaries). Use fills, patterns, and choropleth techniques.”
  • Nicola: Day 7 Accessibility, “Map how people (or things) get around. Visualize travel time, barriers, inclusive design, public transport reach, or create a map that is itself highly accessible to all users.”
  • Nicola: Day 10 Air, “Classical Elements 2/4: Focus on the atmosphere. Map weather, wind patterns, air traffic, pollution, or airborne transmission (e.g., pollen, sound).”
  • Ansgar: Day 11 Minimal Map, “Challenge yourself to use the fewest possible elements (color, line weight, labels) while keeping the map clear, useful, and informative.”
  • Nicola: Day 22 Data Challenge: Natural Earth, “Use the Natural Earth dataset as your primary source for a visually stunning small-scale world or continent map.”
  • Ansgar: Day 24 Places and their names, “Focus on toponymy (place names). Experiment with font choices, label placement, typography, multiple languages, or the history and meaning behind a name.”
  • Ansgar: Day 25 Hexagons, “Challenge Classic: Use hexagonal binning (hexbins) or a hexagonal grid system to visualize your data. Celebrate this beautiful and efficient tessellation!”
  • Nicola: Day 25 Hexagons, “Challenge Classic: Use hexagonal binning (hexbins) or a hexagonal grid system to visualize your data. Celebrate this beautiful and efficient tessellation!”
  • Ansgar: Day 28 Black, “(Black Friday) Interpret the theme of Black. The map can be purely monochromatic, represent absence/darkness (e.g., light pollution), or relate to themes of consumption.”
  • Nicola: Day 29 Raster, “Challenge Classic: Map using raster data. Focus on satellite imagery, elevation models (DEMs), land cover, or pixel-based art.”
  • Nicola’s +1 by @stevefaeembra: Day 16 Cells, “Map something composed of small, discrete units or networks. This could be a geographic cell (raster, tessellation), a cellular network, or a biological/social process (e.g., disease spread).”
  • Ansgar’s +1 by Alexandre Médina: Day 30 Makeover, “Take a map you made during the month or an older piece and redesign it. Focus on improving the aesthetics, clarity, or data communication.”

Video Conversation

You can watch this episode using the embedded player below or over on the dedicated Explore Explain Youtube channel, where you’ll find all the other video-based episodes and curated playlists.

Audio Conversation

To listen directly, visit this link or use the embedded podcast player below. The audio podcast is published across all common platforms (such as Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music etc.), so you will find this series listed in their respective directories by searching for ‘Explore Explain’ or by manually entering – or copying/pasting – this url to your subscriptions – https://feed.pod.co/exploreexplain.

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]]> Data in the wild #16: Can You Share Your Location https://visualisingdata.com/2026/02/data-in-the-wild-15-can-you-share-your-location/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:24:47 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32920 In this edition of Data in the Wild, I explore what it really means to “share your location.” From GPS and Wi-Fi to ship tracking and TfL demand modelling, this piece unpacks how geolocation works, where it shows up in everyday life, and what we can build when movement becomes data.

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Location Is Key

So, I recently took on an interesting client project. It was interesting for many reasons, but a big one was a key feature they wanted for their digital product. They wanted the ability to track the live locations of their research ships as animated points on a map of the ocean in the section they were mapping.

I’m not gonna lie to you or them, this was a first. I mean, it’s one thing to ask your friend to share their location with you; it’s another thing to manage that for several ships. It was definitely a challenge, but thanks to the age where we all interact with location data to some degree, it seemed and felt very doable. So I said, “We’ll do it and figure it out together.” As with any new skill, I went down a rabbit hole because, all of a sudden, I had to become a geolocation IoT expert (a goal I did not reach). It taught me a lot about what it actually means to turn on your location and the different ways that data can be used. So let’s dive into what it really means to send your location.

Welcome to Data in the Wild
Welcome back to another edition of Data in the Wild, the series where we investigate how different data is formed, collected, and used to influence the world around us. I’m excited to jump into this topic because it’s a data and technology source that anyone can really use… with consent!!

What is Geolocation?

Let’s start with the basics. What is Geolocation? According to Investopedia, “Geolocation is the ability to track a device’s whereabouts using GPS, cell phone towers, WiFi access points, or a combination of these. Since devices are used by individuals, geolocation uses positioning systems to track an individual’s location down to latitude and longitude coordinates, or more practically, a physical address.”

In other words, it is a method that uses different forms of technology to track your location, so no matter where you go, as long as you have a device that can access the internet or in some way connects to a network They. Can. Find. You!

Let’s Go Over The Different Ways To Do This:

GPS: Also called the Global Positioning System. The one we all know and love, and if you are anything like me, reminds you of the first Jurassic Park. This is the most accurate way of locating an object and does not require the internet! The device uses a receiver to directly receive signals from a network of satellites orbiting the Earth, and yes, most smartphones have a built-in GPS.

Cell Phone Towers: This is also called network-based geolocation. Your phone provider’s infrastructure determines your location through a process called network triangulation. Which sounds super complicated but boils down to determining a device’s location by drawing triangles between it and known network points, like slicing a pizza, with your device at the centre and the crust edges the different cell towers. Since this is based on network providers, the location accuracy depends on the network coverage in that area. So if you decide to get lost in the mountains, you’ll find out if OS really is essential for living (Purely for the UK audience).

Wi-Fi access points: Also called Wi-Fi positioning, it is the lightest-weight way of finding locations and, in my view, the most interesting. Essentially, every Wi-Fi router, at all times, broadcasts a unique identifier as if it were a landmark on a giant Wi-Fi map (which companies have been building for years). So, when Wi-Fi is on, your device can see many nearby Wi-Fi networks, each with its own unique ID. Your phone identifies all of these (even if it doesn’t access them), so as it passes through and identifies them, your device’s location can be determined, similar to how you find where you are on a map based on the landmarks on a street. The only thing is that, unlike all the other methods here, wifi is most accurate within 10 meters (cause it’s a radio wave). Which means within buildings it is optimal, but at a distance…not as much

IP address: This method can be used by any device that can connect to the internet…which is a lot in today’s world. Every device, when it goes online, is given an IP address; it’s how the internet knows where to send information back to. But the IP addresses are not random; they are assigned in regional chunks that can be at the country level, city level, and sometimes as deep as the neighbourhood. Behind the scenes, there are large IP location databases that map IP addresses to your device’s location. The catch is that it cannot provide specific longitude & latitude coordinates, but it can provide a general area.

Bluetooth: works similarly to Wifi access points. Most devices have Bluetooth capabilities, so when Bluetooth is turned on, your device passes other Bluetooth beacons that broadcast their positions, allowing your device to be located based on proximity.

Okay, Cool! That’s How It Works, But How Do We Use This?

Audience Research & store locations

Probably the one most of us know! It includes things like footfall data, which is like a heat map of people traffic. It helps you know where people tend to frequent, so you can, for example, decide where to put your next food truck or store. You can also use location-based ads, which leverage social media tools to better target the audiences you need to reach with your online ad. It even includes Uber Eats, which uses your location to show you the best dining options nearby. Marketing and advertising have been using geolocation to make ads more efficient, so that they only speak to people who can connect with them not only on a personal level, but also on a practical level (meaning they can actually get to the shop to buy the item in a reasonable time).

TFL and Travel

Before you get spooked, TFL isn’t secretly tracking your phone everywhere you go in London (at least not to my knowledge). Rather, every time you tap your Oyster card or contactless at the station, it creates a time-stamped, location-based record that tracks you to a specific point in the transport network. Do that for the millions of taps and journeys made in a day alone, and TFL are able to create a map, a live picture of travel demand, by day and time to know which routes are busiest and how peak travel patterns shift (those peak charges were by no means a random guess). You can imagine that as routes expand when people move out of London, this will be imperative when deciding how to further expand train lines. Buses actually have GPS, allowing us to have real-time arrival boards so we know how long we’ll have to wait at a stop.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Yes!! You may or may not have noticed that if you use Netflix, Amazon Prime, or even YouTube in different countries, you get very different content. That’s because the sites use geolocation data to serve relevant content to that demographic. So if you live in India, you may get a lot more Bollywood on Netflix than if you live in the UK. Or if you live in the US, you may not even have access to certain shows or movies because their licenses do not allow them in other regions. Which is why you see certain ads on YouTube showing off VPNs, because they allow you to get around the geolocation issue by changing the region of your IP address.

Where Do We Find Geolocation Data?

After hopefully sparking some curiosity about geolocation, it would be really mean of me to leave without pointing out a couple of places you can get geolocation data for free!! A good number of companies offer access to geolocation data for a fee. I am not endorsing any of them, so I’ll let you peruse the web to find that, but there are a few that you can get for free:

  • Open Street Maps (OSM)
  • The London Data Store (for the public transport data I mentioned before)
  • Google Geolocation API (They actually have a few, so really check them out!)
  • Natural Earth
  • NASA & ESA Open Datelitte Data
  • Government Open Data Portals (Many governments allow access to geolocation data they collect)

It always surprises me how much data and information are collected on a daily basis without any of us knowing. But what’s even crazier is how accessible a lot of it is… for free!! That’s what makes working with data so exciting. The question is rarely, “Does this data exist?” It’s usually, “If it does… what could we build with it?”

See you next time for another Data in the Wild

Data in the wild banner, can you share your location
Data In The Wild

Data in the wild #16: Can You Share Your Location

In this edition of Data in the Wild, I explore what it really means to “share your location.” From GPS and Wi-Fi to ship tracking and TfL demand modelling, this piece unpacks how geolocation works, where it shows up in everyday life, and what we can build when movement becomes data.

Read More →
February 24, 2026
Data In The Wild

Data in the wild #15: The Data Behind Fireworks

Fireworks don’t just light up the sky they’re shaped by data. From wind modelling to sound limits, invisible thresholds decide what counts as “safe fun.” This Data in the Wild piece explores how decibels, maths, and regulation quietly shape one of our most beloved celebrations.

Read More →
January 8, 2026
Data In The Wild

Data in the wild #14: Light, Lasers & LIDAR

Imagine mapping the world using light. That’s exactly what LiDAR does. It fires laser pulses that bounce off objects and return to a sensor, calculating distances with GCSE-level physics. Repeating this millions of times creates point clouds detailed 3D maps. From mapping cities to powering self-driving cars, LiDAR reveals the invisible.

Read More →
October 8, 2025

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]]> The January 2026 newsletter is now open to all https://visualisingdata.com/2026/02/the-january-2026-newsletter-is-now-open-to-all/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:57:15 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32905 My January newsletter, sent out to subscribers at the end of last month, is now open for all to read. You can access this issue, as well as visit the growing catalogue of previous issues, on the Newsletter page.

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My January newsletter, that was sent out to subscribers a couple of weeks ago, is now open for all to read.

You can also access this issue, as well as visit the full catalogue of previous issues, via the Newsletter page.

If you’re not already a subscriber, its time to change that! To receive this free monthly newsletter straight into your inbox you can sign up here or visit the Newsletter page to get a bit more background information and instructions.

Thank you as always to everyone who subscribes, reads, shares, visits and responds to this newsletter. But above all thank you to all the people doing ace work that I’m able to curate and share through these issues.

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]]> Explore Explain S6 E5: Chaz Hutton https://visualisingdata.com/2026/02/explore-explain-s6-e5-chaz-hutton/ Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:05:51 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32862 Welcome to episode 5 of season 6 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design. I am delighted to welcome Chaz Hutton, currently based in the UK, who is a man with many creative hats and talents, but it is his role as a cartoonist that we're focusing on in this show.

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Welcome to episode 5 of season 6 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design. I am delighted to welcome Chaz Hutton, currently based in the UK, who is a man with many creative hats and talents, but it is his role as a cartoonist that we’re focusing on in this show.

In this episode we explore five distinct pieces of his brilliant work that help to illustrate (pun intended) themes of his inspiring craft that we, as data visualisation practitioners, can maybe learn to bring into ours.

Here are links to some of the key references or resources mentioned during this episode:

Video Conversation

You can watch this episode using the embedded player below or over on the dedicated Explore Explain Youtube channel, where you’ll find all the other video-based episodes and curated playlists.

Audio Conversation

To listen directly, visit this link or use the embedded podcast player below. The audio podcast is published across all common platforms (such as Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music etc.), so you will find this series listed in their respective directories by searching for ‘Explore Explain’ or by manually entering – or copying/pasting – this url to your subscriptions – https://feed.pod.co/exploreexplain.

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]]> New Course: ‘Masterclass in Data Visualisation’ (Virtual, Apr 2026) https://visualisingdata.com/2026/01/new-course-masterclass-in-data-visualisation-virtual-apr-2026/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:48:56 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32832 I'm happy to announce details of a new virtual public training course, the 3-day/4-hours per day 'Masterclass in Data Visualisation' will take place live online over 14-16 April 2026.

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I’m very happy to announce details of a new public training course. This is a virtual ‘Masterclass in Data Visualisation‘ that will take place online over 14-16 April 2026, 9am to 1pm (UK, BST) each day. 

The course is now open for registration and is relevant to anyone and everyone.

You can read more information about my training courses, which have been running since November 2011. Further public training events, virtual and classroom, will be arranged in response to demand and schedule availability. If your organisation would be interested in exploring options to arrange a training privately for your colleagues, just get in touch.

What is this training about?

This Masterclass training course provides attendees with a sophisticated understanding of how to communicate data visually in the most impactive way. Delivered online across three consecutive days of 4 hour sessions, this training de-constructs this complex, multi-disciplinary craft into an organised sequence of topics towards giving attendees a thorough appreciation of how to navigate through the many creative, editorial, and analytical options that exist.

In contrast to the shorter ‘Fundamentals of Data Visualisation’ training also offered by Andy Kirk, this course teaches the same contents but in more breadth and more detail, includes additional topics not covered in the shorter course, and has much more time to allow for opportunities to practice the learning on exercise activities.

Who is this training for?

This training is relevant to anyone who has a role in or undertakes duties involving the analysis, presentation, and communication of data. Whether your work is primarily concerned with building dashboards, creating infographics, constructing data stories, or producing charts for reports, its all part of the same world. This popular course will enlighten you with new ideas and approaches for visualising data in the most contextually-reasoned way.

Please note this is not technical training – you will not receive teaching in the form of instruction based tutorials for how to make charts in specific tools – but you will learn more about the profile of common tools that are being used in the field today, as well as access to many useful online references to help you develop your technical skills beyond the course.

For more information about the course contents and objectives visit the training page where you will also find a selection of testimonials from previous attendees.

Who is this training delivered by?

Andy Kirk is an independent data visualisation expert based in the UK. He is one of the most in-demand, experienced, and prolific educators in the field, having delivered over 430 public and private training courses since becoming a freelance professional in 2010. Visit Andy’s website, visualisingdata.com, to learn more about his training experiences as well as his other work in visualisation design, consultancy, lecturing, and book authoring.

Timings

To accommodate the unique demands of learning online, the Masterclass training will be delivered across a sequence of three consecutive 4-hour daily workshops, spread over Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th April 2026. Each daily session commences at 9am and finishes no later than 1pm (UK, BST). There will be frequent short breaks during each session to help the brain, ears, and eyes briefly relax.

Technology

This course will be delivered entirely online, with Zoom (fully encrypted) selected as the technology to present and deliver the collaborative learning experience. Attendees will require a laptop or desktop computer with microphone access enabled as a minimum, a web camera is entirely optional.

The online whiteboard platform, Miro, will be used extensively during the course to collate and share exercise activities. More details will be provided in the class. Other than using a browser and a pdf reader, no additional tools will be necessary to have access to or skills with for this non-technical course.

Training materials will be issued digitally, including the teaching slides, exercise files and further useful resources, and delegates will receive instructions and information about this prior to the course resources. OneDrive, as a first preference, or WeTransfer, as an alternative, will be the typical methods used for material sharing.

All workshop sessions will be recorded to provide a backup track for any attendee who may experience any form of disruption or interruption to their course attendance (eg. meetings, home schooling, deliveries). These recordings will be shared online and will be available to watch up to 1 month after the course is completed.

Registration

Registration can be made online using the built-in Eventbrite payment processing system. Click on ‘Get Tickets’, choose the relevant ticket option, and then follow the instructions to complete the delegate registration and payment details.

If you would prefer to register offline and arrange payment via an invoice process for electronic transfer just email andy@visualisingdata.com to reserve your place and progress your registration.

Pricing: Fees, VAT charges, and Discounts!

The standard registration pricing for this course is £625+VAT per person. The total cost will depend on any additional processing fees, your VAT exemption status, and the application of potential discounts.

VAT charges are relevant to the following types of buyer:

  • All attendees registering from the UK will pay an additional 20% VAT charge.
  • Any attendee registering from an EU organisation which is not VAT registered in their local region will face the additional 20% VAT charge.

VAT charges are exempt for the following types of buyer:

  • Any attendee registering from an EU organisations which are VAT registered are exempt from these charges. You should select ‘VAT exempt’ ticket types and enter your organisation’s VAT details in the order form to formalise this exemption.
  • All attendees registering who are based in any other world region outside of the UK and the EU (eg. US, India, Australia) are exempt from VAT charges and should select the ‘VAT exempt’ ticket types accordingly.

There are FOUR ways of joining this course at a reduced price…

(1) Subscribers to Andy Kirk’s Visualising Data Newsletter will find a promo code for a 10% discount mentioned in each monthly issue.

(2) Do you own a copy of the ‘Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design‘ book (any edition)? If you do there is a 10% discount available when using the promo code which is the full name of the final chart type in the gallery of methods presented in the book’s sixth chapter. The same final ‘chart’ is listed is all editions of the book. Removing the space, the code should be 7 characters in length.

To apply this discount, when you get to the training registration checkout, in the ‘Promo code’ box enter the code (not case sensitive) and this will reduce the price by 10%.

(3) Eventbrite charges a non-refundable processing fee of ~8% which applies to all registration types. To avoid incurring these additional charges you may instead choose to register offline and arrange payment via an invoice process for electronic transfer. If you/your organisation prefer this method please just email andy@visualisingdata.com to reserve your place and progress your registration.

(4) For some people interested in attending such training, finances can be a barrier. Whether it is due to the relative cost of living in your region or specific personal circumstances, it is entirely appreciated that financial obstacles will exist for some. As a commitment to widening access to these training courses, at least 2 places will be made available on this course, no questions asked, at a discounted ‘pay what you can afford’ basis.

If you would benefit from and feel you would qualify to take one of these available places please email andy@visualisingdata.com to make the necessary arrangements for your registration (ie. this may entail being issued with a discount code to apply to a standard registration procedure).

Cancellations and changes policy

Full refunds (less the non-refundable Eventbrite processing fees ~8%) are offered for any delegate cancellations made up to 7 days before the course start date. Please email andy@visualisingdata.com if this situation arises.

Cancellations made during the 7 days prior to the course starting will be offered a 50% refund (less processing fees), as it becomes much harder to fill a space vacated with such short notice.

Registrations can be switched to a different attendee. Please email andy@visualisingdata.com if this situation arises.

In the rare event the course itself has to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances all attendees will be offered a choice of a full refund (excluding processing fees) OR the opportunity to attend an alternative training course in the future. Refunds will be limited to registration costs alone, Visualising Data Ltd is not liable for any other costs incurred.

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]]> Appearance on the Talk Data To Me Podcast https://visualisingdata.com/2026/01/appearance-on-the-talk-data-to-me-podcast/ Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:19:50 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32817 Last week I had a lovely conversation as a guest on the Talk Data To Me podcast hosted by Georgina Sturge, who among many things is the author of 'Sum of Us: A History of the UK in Data',

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Last week I had a lovely conversation as a guest on the Talk Data To Me podcast hosted by Georgina Sturge, author of ‘Sum of Us: A History of the UK in Data‘, formerly a statistical research at the library of the House of Commons and now a data consultant at the University of Oxford’s ‘Migration Observatory’.

I had a broad chat with Georgina about data visualisation – what it is, why it is a thing, who’s it relevant, what’s it about, where its come from and where its heading – and you can listen or watch this episode below or via the following platforms:

Many thanks again to Georgina for inviting me on and for the lovely discussion!

The power of data visualisation, with Andy Kirk by Georgina Sturge

The King of Data Viz 👑 spoke to me about high impact design, 'hidden thinking,' and how to get started with the craft of making data beautiful

Read on Substack

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]]> Data in the wild #15: The Data Behind Fireworks https://visualisingdata.com/2026/01/data-in-the-wild-15-the-data-behind-fireworks/ Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:57:16 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32793 Fireworks don’t just light up the sky they’re shaped by data. From wind modelling to sound limits, invisible thresholds decide what counts as “safe fun.” This Data in the Wild piece explores how decibels, maths, and regulation quietly shape one of our most beloved celebrations.

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Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year 🎆

I don’t know about you, but one of my favourite traditions when entering the new year is fireworks. I’m not sure whose idea it was to colourfully bomb the sky to celebrate the passing of time, but whoever they were… they were correct.

London’s first official New Year’s Eve fireworks display took place in the year 2000, produced by Bob Geldof’s Ten Alps. An estimated three million pairs of eyeballs were glued to the spectacle. Since then, we’ve been locked in. And it’s not just London. From China to Dubai, New York to Sydney, fireworks have become a global language for celebration.

Which means, as we step into a new year, I have to ask the obvious Data in the Wild question:

WHAT IS THE DATA BEHIND FIREWORKS??

Welcome to Data in the Wild
Welcome to a new year and a new edition of Data in the Wild the series where I investigate how data is formed, measured, and quietly used to influence the world around us. And there are few better places to start the year than fireworks.

What does data have to do with fireworks?

As it turns out… quite a lot.

Fireworks displays don’t just “happen.” Behind every explosion of colour is a web of calculations, models, thresholds, and limits. Weather data, especially wind direction and strength, plays a huge role. When a firework is launched, what’s really happening is a controlled chemical reaction inside a shell, fired at a specific angle and height.

Once it explodes, gravity takes over. Debris, smoke, and fallout return to earth. For large-scale displays like New Year’s Eve in central London, planners model where that debris might land, how smoke will move, and how emissions could affect the surrounding environment and the people living there.

But while wind, trajectories, and carbon output matter, the variable I want to focus on is an invisible one and arguably the most important of all.

Sound.

Measuring the invisible: how loud is loud?

Sound is measured in decibels (dB) using sound sensors that capture changes in air pressure. These measurements give us benchmarks for what’s comfortable, uncomfortable, and outright dangerous.

Here’s a quick reference:

  • 0 dB – The faintest sound a human ear can detect
  • 30 dB – A quiet whisper
  • 60 dB – Normal conversation
  • 100 dB – A running lawnmower
  • 120 dB – A rock concert near the speakers (the point where pain and hearing damage can begin)
  • 150–175 dB – The range of many fireworks at source

Generally speaking, prolonged exposure to sounds below 70 dB is considered safe. Above that, exposure time matters. Short bursts may be fine, but as sound levels increase, the risk of permanent hearing damage rises rapidly.

And this is where things get interesting.

Common Sense Media

Measuring the invisible: how loud is loud?

Sound is measured in decibels (dB) using sound sensors that capture changes in air pressure. These measurements give us benchmarks for what’s comfortable, uncomfortable, and outright dangerous.

Here’s a quick reference:

  • 0 dB – The faintest sound a human ear can detect

     

  • 30 dB – A quiet whisper

     

  • 60 dB – Normal conversation

     

  • 100 dB – A running lawnmower

     

  • 120 dB – A rock concert near the speakers (the point where pain and hearing damage can begin)

     

  • 150–175 dB – The range of many fireworks at source

     

Generally speaking, prolonged exposure to sounds below 70 dB is considered safe. Above that, exposure time matters. Short bursts may be fine, but as sound levels increase, the risk of permanent hearing damage rises rapidly.

And this is where things get interesting.

Why a decibel chart can lie to you

If we were to chart these sounds on a simple bar chart, it might look like fireworks are just “a bit louder” than a concert or a siren.

But that chart would be misleading.

Decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, not a linear one. This means that every increase of 10 dB represents roughly twice the perceived loudness.

So 120 dB isn’t just slightly louder than 110 dB it feels dramatically louder. Fire truck sirens often sit between 110 and 120 dB. Fireworks, at 150 dB or more, aren’t a small step beyond that. They’re operating in a completely different danger zone.

If fire sirens stuck in traffic are enough to give me a headache, fireworks clearly aren’t something our ears should take lightly.

How Data informs policy

This is why governments step in.

In the UK, consumer fireworks are legally capped at 120 dB, and there are strict rules about when fireworks can be used throughout the year. Not because fireworks aren’t beautiful but because sound isn’t just an experience, it’s a biological stressor.

Data doesn’t just measure noise here.
 It decides who gets to make noise, how close, how often, and when.

It shapes policy, safety guidance, and cultural norms around celebration. It draws a line between “fun” and “harm”…even when that line is invisible.

Data in the Wild

Fireworks are a perfect example of Data in the Wild. Most of us look up at the sky and see colour, spectacle, and celebration. But hidden beneath that moment are thresholds, models, and measurements quietly working to keep that fun within acceptable limits.

So next time you’re watching colourful explosions ripple across the night sky, ask yourself:

Where do these fireworks sit on the scale?
 Who decided that was safe?
 And what invisible data is shaping the way we celebrate?

Because sometimes, the most powerful data isn’t what we see
 it’s what we hear.

Data in the wild banner, can you share your location
Data In The Wild

Data in the wild #16: Can You Share Your Location

In this edition of Data in the Wild, I explore what it really means to “share your location.” From GPS and Wi-Fi to ship tracking and TfL demand modelling, this piece unpacks how geolocation works, where it shows up in everyday life, and what we can build when movement becomes data.

Read More →
February 24, 2026
Data In The Wild

Data in the wild #15: The Data Behind Fireworks

Fireworks don’t just light up the sky they’re shaped by data. From wind modelling to sound limits, invisible thresholds decide what counts as “safe fun.” This Data in the Wild piece explores how decibels, maths, and regulation quietly shape one of our most beloved celebrations.

Read More →
January 8, 2026
Data In The Wild

Data in the wild #14: Light, Lasers & LIDAR

Imagine mapping the world using light. That’s exactly what LiDAR does. It fires laser pulses that bounce off objects and return to a sensor, calculating distances with GCSE-level physics. Repeating this millions of times creates point clouds detailed 3D maps. From mapping cities to powering self-driving cars, LiDAR reveals the invisible.

Read More →
October 8, 2025

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]]> Embracing AI as a collaborator in data visualisation design https://visualisingdata.com/2025/12/embracing-ai-as-a-collaborator-in-data-visualisation-design/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:23:19 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32780 I was recently invited by my publisher, Sage, to write a guest article about a current theme in data visualisation which led me to look at AI and its potential role - and value - as a collaborator in data visualisation design.

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I was recently invited by my publisher, Sage, to write a guest article for their ‘research methods community’ about a current theme in data visualisation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this led me to look at AI and its potential role – and value – as a collaborator in data visualisation design.

In the two years since I first wrote a couple of pieces about my early sense-making of the relationship between AI and data viz (part 1 and part 2), the evolution of tools has been eye-wateringly rapid. So much so its almost impossible to reasonably find time to keep up with new applications. 

What doesn’t change much though are the key elements of a data visualisation process that could benefit from such AI applications but not in a fully delegated way, rather in a collaborative role “augmenting our efforts to make tedious tasks more efficient and creative acts more ambitious”. 

This piece focuses on this positive, perhaps hopeful, tone offering suggestions for ways I would appreciate enhanced support from AI and less about the now well-known – and not-insignificant risks or concerns. Due to word-count limitations I could only find room to briefly describe 12 distinct suggestions covering practical matters to do with data, creativity, design and evaluation.

You can read the article here.

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]]> The November 2025 newsletter is now open to all https://visualisingdata.com/2025/12/the-november-2025-newsletter-is-now-open-to-all/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:34:30 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32764 My November newsletter, sent out to subscribers at the end of last month, is now open for all to read. You can access this issue, as well as visit the growing catalogue of previous issues, on the Newsletter page.

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My November newsletter, that was sent out to subscribers a couple of weeks ago, is now open for all to read.

You can also access this issue, as well as visit the growing catalogue of previous issues, via the Newsletter page.

If you’re not already a subscriber, its time to change that! To receive this free monthly newsletter straight into your inbox you can sign up here or visit the Newsletter page to get a bit more background information and instructions.

Thank you as always to everyone who subscribes, reads, shares, visits and responds to this newsletter. But above all thank you to all the people doing ace work that I’m able to curate and share through these issues.

There won’t be a newsletter coming out this month but I’ll be back in January with a mega-bundle of contents covering things I encountered across November and December.

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]]> New Course: ‘Masterclass in Data Visualisation’ (London, Feb 2026) https://visualisingdata.com/2025/11/new-course-masterclass-in-data-visualisation-london-feb-2026/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:57:12 +0000 https://visualisingdata.com/?p=32722 I'm happy to announce details of a new public training course, the two-day classroom-based 'Masterclass in Data Visualisation' will take place in London, on 5-6 February 2026.

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I’m very happy to announce details of a new public training course: A two-day classroom-based ‘Masterclass in Data Visualisation‘ will take place in London on 5-6 February 2026.

The course is now open for registration and is relevant to anyone and everyone.

You can read more information about my training courses, which have been running since November 2011. Further public training events, virtual and classroom, will be arranged in response to demand and schedule availability. If your organisation would be interested in exploring options to arrange a training privately for your colleagues, just get in touch.

What is this training about?

This Masterclass training course provides attendees with a sophisticated understanding of how to communicate data visually in the most impactive way. Delivered over two full-day sessions this training de-constructs this complex, multi-disciplinary craft into an organised sequence of topics towards giving attendees a thorough appreciation of how to navigate through the many creative, editorial, and analytical options that exist.

In contrast to the shorter ‘Fundamentals of Data Visualisation’ training also offered by Andy Kirk, this course teaches the same contents but in more breadth and more detail, includes additional topics not covered in the shorter course, and has much more time to allow for opportunities to practice the learning on exercise activities.

Who is this training for?

This training is relevant to anyone who has a role in or undertakes duties involving the analysis, presentation, and communication of data. Whether your work is primarily concerned with building dashboards, creating infographics, constructing data stories, or producing charts for reports, its all part of the same world. This popular course will enlighten you with new ideas and approaches for visualising data in the most contextually-reasoned way.

Please note this is not technical training – you will not receive teaching in the form of instruction based tutorials for how to make charts in specific tools – but you will learn more about the profile of common tools that are being used in the field today, as well as access to many useful online references to help you develop your technical skills beyond the course.

For more information about the course contents and objectives visit the training page where you will also find a selection of testimonials from previous attendees.

Who is this training delivered by?

Andy Kirk is an independent data visualisation expert based in the UK. He is one of the most in-demand, experienced, and prolific educators in the field, having delivered over 430 public and private training courses since becoming a freelance professional in 2010. Visit Andy’s website, visualisingdata.com, to learn more about his training experiences as well as his other work in visualisation design, consultancy, lecturing, and book authoring.

Where will this training be held?

This course will be held at the new premises of Canva at Bersey Warehouse, which is located at 293 Old Street on the corner with Coronet Street in the Hoxton area of London (postcode: EC1V 9LA) – about 6 minutes walk from Old Street underground station. Specific arrival instructions will be provided to all attendees priort to the course. Lunch is NOT provided but there will be access to hot/cold drinks and snack refreshments throughout the day. The venue is closely located to many nearby cafes and sandwich shop opens.

Timings

On both days this training commences at 9:30am and finishes around 4:30pm. Arrival will be open from 9am onwards. There will be breaks during all morning and afternoon sessions, and a lunch break each day of around 60 minutes.

Technology

Attendees are requested to bring a laptop to use as a workspace for the session. The event is not technical in nature but this will enable you to access the course materials and exercise files referred to during the sessions. You will not require any specialist software beyond Excel/Sheets, a pdf reader, and a browser. Across a day you should expect to need around 3 hours of charge. Power access will be provided for charging devices.

The online whiteboard platform, Miro, will be used extensively during the course to collate and share exercise activities. More details will be provided in the class. Other than using a browser and a pdf reader, no additional tools will be necessary to have access to or skills with for this non-technical course.

Training materials will be issued digitally, including the teaching slides, exercise files and further useful resources, and delegates will receive instructions and information about this prior to the course resources. OneDrive, as a first preference, or WeTransfer, as an alternative, will be the typical methods used for material sharing.

Registration

Registration can be made online using the built-in Eventbrite payment processing system below. Click on ‘Get Tickets’, choose the relevant ticket option, and then follow the instructions to complete the delegate registration and payment details.

If you would prefer to register offline and arrange payment via an invoice process for electronic transfer just email andy@visualisingdata.com to reserve your place and progress your registration.

Pricing: Fees, VAT charges, and Discounts!

The standard registration pricing for this course is £625+VAT per person. The total cost will depend on any additional processing fees, your VAT exemption status, and the application of potential discounts.

VAT charges are relevant to the following types of buyer:

  • All attendees registering from the UK will pay an additional 20% VAT charge.
  • Any attendee registering from an EU organisation which is not VAT registered in their local region will face the additional 20% VAT charge.

VAT charges are exempt for the following types of buyer:

  • Any attendee registering from an EU organisations which are VAT registered are exempt from these charges. You should select ‘VAT exempt’ ticket types and enter your organisation’s VAT details in the order form to formalise this exemption.
  • All attendees registering who are based in any other world region outside of the UK and the EU (eg. US, India, Australia) are exempt from VAT charges and should select the ‘VAT exempt’ ticket types accordingly.

There are FOUR ways of joining this course at a reduced price…

(1) Subscribers to Andy Kirk’s Visualising Data Newsletter will find a promo code for a 10% discount mentioned in each monthly issue.

(2) Do you own a copy of the ‘Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design‘ book (any edition)? If you do there is a 10% discount available when using the promo code which is the full name of the final chart type in the gallery of methods presented in the book’s sixth chapter. The same final ‘chart’ is listed is all editions of the book. Removing the space, the code should be 7 characters in length.

To apply this discount, when you get to the training registration checkout, in the ‘Promo code’ box enter the code (not case sensitive) and this will reduce the price by 10%.

(3) Eventbrite charges a non-refundable processing fee of ~8% which applies to all registration types. To avoid incurring these additional charges you may instead choose to register offline and arrange payment via an invoice process for electronic transfer. If you/your organisation prefer this method please just email andy@visualisingdata.com to reserve your place and progress your registration.

(4) For some people interested in attending such training, finances can be a barrier. Whether it is due to the relative cost of living in your region or specific personal circumstances, it is entirely appreciated that financial obstacles will exist for some. As a commitment to widening access to these training courses, at least 2 places will be made available on this course, no questions asked, at a discounted ‘pay what you can afford’ basis.

If you would benefit from and feel you would qualify to take one of these available places please email andy@visualisingdata.com to make the necessary arrangements for your registration (ie. this may entail being issued with a discount code to apply to a standard registration procedure).

Cancellations and changes policy

Full refunds (less the non-refundable Eventbrite processing fees ~8%) are offered for any delegate cancellations made up to 7 days before the course start date. Please email andy@visualisingdata.com if this situation arises.

Cancellations made during the 7 days prior to the course starting will be offered a 50% refund (less processing fees), as it becomes much harder to fill a space vacated with such short notice.

Registrations can be switched to a different attendee. Please email andy@visualisingdata.com if this situation arises.

In the rare event the course itself has to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances all attendees will be offered a choice of a full refund (excluding processing fees) OR the opportunity to attend an alternative training course in the future. Refunds will be limited to registration costs alone, Visualising Data Ltd is not liable for any other costs incurred.

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