3 Lessons I Learned Creating “Charting the Subway”
During the summer of 2024, I went from subway rider to subway visualizer with a series of 6 interactive graphics focused on the subway. I delved into topics ranging from the decline of the MetroCard to ADA Accessibility. Along the way, I had to wrangle large data sets then choice the best chart (and tool) for the job. As with any project, it wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped and I had to overcome setbacks. Here’s what I learned.
1. It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect
When I first started Charting the Subway, I found myself caught in the perfectionism trap. I wanted everything to be flawless before hitting that publish button. But here’s the truth: waiting for perfection can hold you back. I realized that sharing work that’s “good enough” can be far more valuable than waiting indefinitely for something that’s “perfect.”
I didn’t have the time to build robust, interactive pieces from scratch. Instead, I relied on the amazing (and mostly free) self-service tools like datawrapper, Tableau Public and Flourish. I was able to do a lot very quickly but I couldn’t control every pixel and interaction. For example, in map about accessibility, I wanted to layer the subway lines underneath the station markers to give viewers a familiar visual anchor. But, after trying a few approaches, I realized that wasn’t possible. Nonetheless, it was an important topic so instead of quitting, or starting from scratch, I moved forward with the best option given the constraints. As a compromise, I colored each marker after it’s corresponding line. Ultimately, the impact of seeing a sparsely populated subway map is what resonated with viewers.
2. Sharing is Caring
Sharing your work is scary! Especially if you’ve made design compromises with your self-service tool. What I learned is that sharing your work isn’t just about gaining recognition; it’s about contributing to a larger conversation. A graphic doesn’t have to win design awards to make people stop and think.
Sharing your work is as important as creating it.
3. Write Down What You’ve Learned
Throughout the process of designing and building these graphics, I encountered numerous challenges, made mistakes, and discovered new techniques. After the frenzy of finishing a project it can be hard to reflect on how you got from A to B. I’ve started a “Learning Journal” for jotting down the new tools and skills I’ve collected.
For example, I learned how to filter data sets on the Open Data portal so I only downloaded what I needed (and what my computer could handle). When I still ended up with a file too big for Excel to open, I learned how to filter data sets in the command line using awk. I also figured out how to connect APIs to Tableau Public and how to use Google Sheets as a database in datawrapper. Each of these new skills opens up new possibilities and will make future projects faster and more robust.
Go forth and build
Designing and building subway graphics was a challenging but rewarding experience that taught me these three crucial lessons: don’t be afraid to publish imperfect work, share your creations, and always write down what you’ve learned. These principles don’t just apply to data visualization—they’re valuable in any creative or analytical endeavor.
If you’re working on your own projects, I encourage you to embrace these lessons. They’ve helped me grow as a data enthusiast, and I’m confident they can do the same for you.
