David McCandless on the Power and Responsibility of Data Visualisation

Data visualisation can make complex information easier to understand, reveal patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed and help us see familiar subjects in new ways. But visualisations also influence how we interpret the world. The choices we make about what to show, what to leave out and how to present the evidence can shape the conclusions people draw.

Few people have done more to bring data visualisation to a wider audience than David McCandless. A London-based writer, designer and information designer, he is the founder of Information is Beautiful, which explores ideas, issues and knowledge through data-driven graphics. His bestselling books, Information Is Beautiful, Knowledge Is Beautiful and Beautiful News, showcase how visual design can help communicate complex subjects in engaging and accessible ways. He has also spoken at TED Global and worked on visualisation projects for organisations including Apple, Google and Microsoft.

In this interview with Real World Data Science, David discusses both the possibilities and the responsibilities that come with visualising data. He explores what makes a visualisation effective, the risks of misleading or misusing visual representations, and how practitioners can approach their work ethically. He also considers how we can improve the way data is communicated, and shares his perspective on emerging trends in the field.

“We are in unusual waters when it comes to facts and statistics and truth. You can lie with statistics, famously, but you can really lie with visual statistics.”

For anyone working with data, the challenge is not simply to make information look appealing. It is to help people understand what the evidence tells us, while being mindful of how design choices can influence their interpretation.

How to cite :
Flynn, Annie 2026. “David McCandless on the power and responsibility of data visualisation.” Real World Data Science, 2026. URL

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