#31 Visualizing For Hope・Pei Ying Loh, Jose Duarte, Francis Gagnon・On Data And Design Event

Visualizing for Hope | On Data And Design #31 Welcome to the 31st edition of On Data And Design! In a world flooded with negative news and fear-driven narratives, we explore how visualization can become a tool for hope, optimism, and peace. Hosted by *Darjan Hil* from Superdot Studio, this event brings together three inspiring practitioners who demonstrate how visualization can create understanding, build bridges, and foster hope. 🎤 Our Speakers *Francis Gagnon* - Voilà (Montreal, Canada) Francis demonstrates how information design can reveal hope by looking at the past (showing progress), the present (revealing composition and opportunities), and the future (identifying quick wins and better pathways). He emphasizes that hope is a responsibility and shows concrete examples of how good news and counter-examples can be found in data. *Jose Duarte* - EasyDataViz (Bogotá, Colombia) Jose shares insights from participatory data projects across Latin America, exploring why people struggle to imagine a better future. He presents a framework showing that hope comes after a journey through three stages: access to data, literacy (understanding data), and agency (knowing what to do with data). His work transforms data from mirrors of the present into doors to possibility. *Pei Ying Loh* - The Kontinentalist (Singapore) Pei Ying discusses evolving from conventional data storytelling to practices centered on care, reciprocity, and decolonial approaches. She shares how The Kontinentalist challenges extractive data practices, centers indigenous voices and knowledge systems, and builds meaningful relationships with communities rather than extracting information from them. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction by Darjan Hil 00:04:16 Francis Gagnon - Hope Through Past, Present & Future 00:26:49 Jose Duarte - From Mirrors to Doors 00:48:30 Pei Ying Loh - Decolonial Data Storytelling 01:10:00 Panel Discussion & Q&A 🔑 Key Takeaways • Hope is found in the details, not the averages - reveal the composition behind aggregate data • People need to imagine a better future before they can create one - data visualization can help • Participatory approaches build trust and agency with communities • Decolonial data practices center local knowledge and resist extraction • Counter-examples show what's possible when we highlight positive outliers • Data storytelling requires building relationships, not just transactions 🙏 Special Thanks This session was made possible by **Fondation Botnar**, who works with and for young people towards a world that fulfills their rights and supports their wellbeing. *Superdot Studio* - Partner and Supporter The team of information design specialists from Superdot Studio in Basel has supported the On Data And Design events from the beginning. With their commitment, Superdot sets a strong example for exchange within a global community. 🤝 Support Our Community On Data And Design is now a membership-based community. Join us for collaborative sessions where we discuss industry challenges and create standards for information design. Learn more: https://www.ondataanddesign.com/membe... Next community session: "Why Visualizations Matter" 📚 Resources Mentioned *Books:* • Factfulness - Hans Rosling • Not the End of the World - Hannah Ritchie (Our World in Data) • Now is Better - Steven Sagmeister • Data Feminism - Catherine D'Ignazio & Lauren Klein • Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer *Other Resources:* • Gapminder - Hans Rosling Foundation • Our World in Data • Maori Data Sovereignty framework • The Kontinentalist's upcoming "Decolonial Stack" resource compilation 🔗 Connect With Us Website: https://www.ondataanddesign.com Newsletter: Subscribe on our website *Hosted & Organized by:* • Darjan Hil: https://www.superdot.studio/darjan-hil • Superdot Studio: https://superdot.studio *Follow our speakers:* • Voilà: https://voila.ca • EasyDataViz: https://easydataviz.com • The Kontinentalist: https://www.kontinentalist.com #DataVisualization #InformationDesign #Hope #DataStorytelling #OnDataAndDesign #ParticipatoryDesign #DecolonialData