Design Patterns for Data Comics

TLDR

Data comics use the visual language of comics to convey data insights, yet few examples exist and there is no structured analysis or guidance for their creation. The authors introduce data‑comic design patterns that describe panel sets for rapid storyboarding and demonstrate their expressive potential. These patterns are derived from an analysis of common structures in infographics, datavideos, and existing data comics, as well as the authors’ experience creating comics for diverse scenarios. The patterns illustrate how data comics combine the spatial layout and overview of infographics with the linearity and narration of videos and presentations.

Abstract

Data comics for data-driven storytelling are inspired by the visual language of comics and aim to communicate insights in data through visualizations. While comics are widely known, few examples of data comics exist and there has not been any structured analysis nor guidance for their creation. We introduce data-comic design-patterns, each describing a set of panels with a specific narrative purpose, that allow for rapid storyboarding of data comics while showcasing their expressive potential. Our patterns are derived from i) analyzing common patterns in infographics, datavideos, and existing data comics, ii) our experiences creating data comics for different scenarios. Our patterns demonstrate how data comics allow an author to combine the best of both worlds: spatial layout and overview from infographics as well as linearity and narration from videos and presentations.