Explore Explain
Andy Kirk
Explore Explain is a long-form podcast and video series hosted by Andy Kirk and launched early 2020. It goes deep behind the scenes of data visualisation projects.
Each episode is structured around a conversation with visualisation designers, developers, or data journalists to explore the design story behind a single visualisation or a related major project. Guests explain the thought-process behind and share insights about the myriad little decisions that underpin the finished works they produce.
Audiences will gain an appreciation of the what, the why and the how, learning about the hidden problems and challenges, the breakthroughs and the eureka moments. You'll learn about the things that were done and the things that were not done, the pressures and frustrations as well as successes and failures.
Each season comprises nine episodes and always seeks to include guests representing a diverse cast of talented practitioners from across the field and around the world, showcasing a wide variety of different types of visualisation work.
Every episode is published as both an audio interview as well as an enhanced video conversation, enriched by detailed visuals that illuminate the discussions. Visit the Youtube channel to see all the recordings, including shorter highlight episodes.
To read more about each episode, and browse through the full archive of conversations, visit the Podcast page on Andy Kirk's Visualising Data website. Explore Explain is a Bethany Andrew production.
Each episode is structured around a conversation with visualisation designers, developers, or data journalists to explore the design story behind a single visualisation or a related major project. Guests explain the thought-process behind and share insights about the myriad little decisions that underpin the finished works they produce.
Audiences will gain an appreciation of the what, the why and the how, learning about the hidden problems and challenges, the breakthroughs and the eureka moments. You'll learn about the things that were done and the things that were not done, the pressures and frustrations as well as successes and failures.
Each season comprises nine episodes and always seeks to include guests representing a diverse cast of talented practitioners from across the field and around the world, showcasing a wide variety of different types of visualisation work.
Every episode is published as both an audio interview as well as an enhanced video conversation, enriched by detailed visuals that illuminate the discussions. Visit the Youtube channel to see all the recordings, including shorter highlight episodes.
To read more about each episode, and browse through the full archive of conversations, visit the Podcast page on Andy Kirk's Visualising Data website. Explore Explain is a Bethany Andrew production.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 21min
S5E7 - SPECIAL GUEST PANEL - The State of Data Viz (Part I)
Welcome to episode 7 of season 5 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
This episode is the first of a two-part special taken from a recorded webinar held on 4th December 2024 titled ‘The State of Data Viz’ and featuring a panel of guests including:
Evelina Parrou, Founder & Creative Director at Parabole StudioRasagy Sharma, Senior Design Manager for DataLabs at Capital One Joe Sharpe, Co-Founder of Applied WorksJuuso Koponen, Co-Founder of Koponen+Hildén Lisa Charlotte Muth, Data Vis Writer at Datawrapper ...as well as invaluable co-hosting by Obinna Iwuji
With contributions from the audience, in this first-part episode - 'the practice and the people' - we explore the current state of the data viz field, where its come from, and where its heading in relation to trends in the type of work being created, the professions that exist, and the people who make up the data viz community.
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 14min
S5E6 - Michael Brenner, Sarah Slobin & Jon Schwabish
In this engaging conversation, Michael Brenner from Data4Change, Sarah Slobin of Reuters, and Jon Schwabish from the Urban Institute delve into the evolution of data visualization tools and their impact on storytelling. They discuss the transition from basic to advanced technologies, emphasizing the importance of emotional engagement in data communication. The trio also highlights how accessible design tools empower nonprofits and the challenges in learning coding languages, advocating for resourcefulness in the ever-evolving field of data viz.
Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 9min
S5E5 - Kat Greenbrook
Welcome to episode 5 of season 5 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
I am delighted to welcome Kat Greenbrook, Data Storyteller, Author, and founder of Rogue Penguin based in Wellington, New Zealand.
In this episode, we discussed Kat's life as a freelancer, starting with learning more about her career background leading up to discovering data visualisation and then the process of switching her path towards being an independent professional. We explore the story of her wonderful first, self-published book, 'The Data Storyteller's Handbook', as well as the design thinking behind an exquisite data physicalisation project concerning her 'Plastic Footprint'.
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 17min
S5E4 - Dominikus Baur & Alice Thudt
Welcome to episode 4 of season 5 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
In this latest episode, I am delighted to welcome Dominikus Baur, Data Visualization Designer & Engineer, and Alice Thudt, Data Visualization Designer, who are based in Munich, Germany. We explore the story behind a project titled 'Full Of Themselves: An analysis of title drops in movies' which analyses and visualises all instances in a movie when one of the characters says the title of the movie. I've been wanting to explore this curiosity myself and so I'm delighted that they've done this and absolute love what they have accomplished!
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Jun 13, 2024 • 1h 7min
S5E3 - Natalie Erdem
Welcome to episode 3 of season 5 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
In this latest episode I am delighted to welcome Natalie Erdem, Managing Partner and Product Manager at TWO-N, based in New York City. We explore the story behind TWO-N's development of the MSNBC Election Big Board, the dynamic visualisation tool used by National Political Correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, Steve Kornacki during the live broadcast of the 2018 US mid-terms and subsequent elections.
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
May 10, 2024 • 1h 9min
S5E2 - Jess Carr
Welcome to episode 2 of season 5 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
In this latest episode, I am delighted to welcome Jess Carr, a UI/UX Engineer at GSK based in Bath, UK. We explore the story behind a passion project Jess worked on to visualise analysis of the (spoiler: declining) use of text on the front covers of Vogue magazine over the last 22 years, titled 'Since When Does Vogue Hate Text?'. This project was a winner of 'The Pudding Cup' 2023 gold prize so it's a great piece to dissect!
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Apr 26, 2024 • 1h 8min
S5E1 - Rebecca Conroy & Duncan Swain
Welcome to episode 1 of season 5 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
For this season opener, I am delighted to welcome Rebecca Conroy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Duncan Swain, Co-Founder and Creative Partner, from Beyond Words, a design studio based in London, UK. We explore Rebecca and Duncan's career backgrounds, the origin story behind the founding of their studio, and how their subsequent creative and commercial journey over the past decade has been built upon a culture shaped by strong values.
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Jan 16, 2024 • 1h 10min
S4E9 - Chloe Whiteaker & Marie Patino
Welcome to episode 9 of season 4 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
In this season finale, I am delighted to welcome Chloe Whiteaker, Data Visualization Team Leader, and Marie Patino, Graphics Reporter, from Bloomberg News in New York. We explore the story behind their unique data visualisation project analysing the staggering wealth of a pop-music phenomenon: "Taylor Swift Vaults Into Billionaire Ranks with Blockbuster Eras Tour".
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 10min
S4E8 - Denise Lu
Welcome to episode 8 of season 4 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
In this latest episode, I am delighted to welcome Denise Lu, Graphics reporter at Bloomberg News, based in New York City. We explore the story behind her side project visualising her analysis of the tracks played during the reunion shows of her favourite band, Pavement. The day before this episode was launched, it was announced that this project had won 'The Pudding Cup' 2023 gold prize - congratulations to Denise!
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
Nov 29, 2023 • 1h 7min
S4E7 - Amanda Shendruk
Welcome to episode 7 of season 4 of Explore Explain, a long-form video and podcast series all about data visualisation design.
In this latest episode, I am delighted to welcome Amanda Shendruk, Opinion Graphics Reporter at the Washington Post, based in Edinburgh, UK. We explore the story behind Amanda's visual article for Opinions titled 'Audiences want a different climate change message. Hollywood should deliver.' looking at the portrayal of climate change in movies and TV shows.
As well as listening to this show, you can watch the video of this conversation. Head over to Youtube and visit the Explore Explain channel.
