The Art of Dashboard Design: 15 Rules for Perfecting Your Interface

Yogesh Pol
3 min readDec 25, 2023

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Credit:sqlbi

Dive into the world of dashboard design excellence with β€œThe 15 Rules to Design a Perfect Dashboard,” a guide that blends creativity and functionality for impactful data visualization. πŸš€

Explore the intersection of clarity and purpose in data presentation with these rules, offering both seasoned designers and newcomers a roadmap to elevate their dashboard game. 🎨✨

15 Rules for Perfecting Your DashboardπŸ“Š

1. Design for a Target

  • 🎯 Keep sight of goals and target users.
  • 🚫 Avoid cluttering the dashboard with unnecessary information.

2. Keep Everything at a Glance

  • πŸ‘€ Ensure all relevant information is visible without the need for scrolling or clicking.
  • πŸš— Imagine a car dashboard with scrollbars β€” not a good idea.

3. Keep It Simple

  • 🧩 Complexity may seem sophisticated but often acts as an obstacle.
  • ✨ Simplicity enhances user experience and engagement.

4. Align Elements

  • πŸ“ Aligning elements prevents the design from looking amateurish.
  • 🎨 Consistent alignment contributes to a polished and professional appearance.

5. Be Consistent

  • πŸ” Repetition is not necessarily boring; it provides a sense of continuity.
  • 🀝 Consistency in design elements enhances user understanding.

6. Highlight the Most Relevant Information

  • πŸ“– Structure your dashboard like a magazine page, emphasizing different levels of importance.
  • πŸ“Š Avoid placing charts randomly; prioritize based on significance.

7. Be Clear

  • ❌ Avoid acronyms; use clear legends for better user comprehension.
  • πŸ—£οΈ Clarity in communication is key to a successful dashboard.

8. Start from Zero

  • πŸ“Š Chart axes should be used consciously to convey accurate information.
  • πŸ•΅οΈ Details matter β€” pay attention to the nuances for a meaningful representation.

9. Shorten the Numbers

  • πŸ“‰ Users prefer an overall picture; simplify numerical data for quick comprehension.
  • πŸ’Ό Avoid overwhelming users with unnecessary digits.

10. Show the Context

  • πŸ” Numbers gain meaning within their context; provide background information.
  • πŸ€” Ensure users understand the significance of the data presented.

11. Choose the Right Colors

  • 🌈 Consider color blindness when selecting dashboard colors.
  • 🎨 Opt for a color scheme that enhances readability and accessibility.

12. Design Dashboards, Not Reports

  • πŸ“Š Tailor information for dashboards; not all details from a table are suitable.
  • 🎯 Focus on presenting key insights for quick decision-making.

13. Show Variations

  • πŸ”„ Present variations in data without requiring users to perform calculations.
  • πŸ“ˆ Make trends and changes evident for easy interpretation.

14. Leave the Noise Off

  • πŸ”‡ Avoid suggesting relationships that do not exist in the data.
  • πŸŒͺ️ Maintain clarity by eliminating unnecessary visual elements.

15. Pick the Right Chart

  • πŸ“Š Choose appropriate chart types for each piece of information.
  • πŸ€“ Selecting the right chart enhances data representation and understanding.

β€œ15 Rules for Perfecting Your Dashboard” is not just a guide β€” it’s a journey through the principles that transform raw data into compelling visual stories. As you embark on your dashboard design endeavors, may these rules serve as a reliable compass, guiding you toward clarity, simplicity, and impactful communication. Your commitment to mastering this craft is not just appreciated; it’s the key to unlocking the true potential of data-driven insights. Cheers to creating dashboards that captivate, inform, and empower! πŸš€πŸ“Šβœ¨

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Yogesh Pol

Talks About: Data Analyst || Excel || SQL || Tableau || Power BI || Python || Mathematics|| Statistics || Tech || Stock Market || Finance || Gadgets.