Dashboard Anti-Trends

Design Tips for Business Analysts

Embarking on a journey through the ever-evolving world of data visualization, we find ourselves amidst a landscape where trends come and go as swiftly as seasons change. What’s considered cutting-edge today might swiftly become yesterday’s news. In our relentless pursuit of the latest and greatest dashboard design features, it’s equally vital to discern what design elements are best left behind!

Welcome to the realm of “Dashboard Anti-Trends,” where we explore the design choices that are fast becoming relics of the past.

1. Background Images

The background images on dashboards often leads to distraction. These visuals, while they are aesthetically pleasing, can dilute the dashboard’s clarity and shift the focus away from key data.

An example from my old gallery — made in Power BI. Cute rounds on the background. Sorry for that.

I myself am a sinner! In the 2010s, making a background image for a dashboard seemed pretty cool. You can read about one such dashboard in my article in the wonderful Nightingale.

2. Meaningless Maps

Maps can be great tools for data visualization when used thoughtfully. However, incorporating maps solely for aesthetic appeal, without conveying valuable insights, is no longer in vogue.

Remember, that maps are good for educational and demonstration cases, as they look impressive, but they are extremely rare on real dashboards.

An example from my dashboard gallery. Made in Power BI. It’s so nice (no) to have bad examples for all occasions!

3. Gradients in Diagrams

Gradients might seem visually appealing, but they can significantly impede chart readability. In data visualization, clarity should always be a top priority.

Don’t forget that three-dimensional diagrams greatly distort the data they represent — the nearest parts are larger than those located on the far side of the three-dimensional figure.

A tutorial example of a dashboard in MS Excel, where the beauty and shimmer of colors overshadow all meaning.

4. 3D Charts

The era of 3D elements in data visualizations is waning. 3D bar charts and pie charts, in particular, can distort data representation and add unnecessary complexity.

Many beautiful dataviz projects experiment with 3D form, but I hope this trend does not return to business analytics.

A tutorial example of a dashboard in MS Excel, where everything is also very cool and three-dimensional. But where is the data and analytics?

5. Typeface Complexity

While extravagant fonts may initially appear fun, they can hinder readability and distract from the data. Simplifying font choices is the way forward.

A tutorial example of a dashboard showing that font type is important for the perception of information. It’s worth keeping a close eye on types.

6. Neomorphism

You must exercise caution when implementing the stylish design like neomorphism. But a few years ago, this effect was extremely popular.

This style looks very elegant, but unfortunately, all those fancy elements can be significantly distracting from the data. But feel free to use it in your portfolio projects!

Dashboard in the neomorphism style made by Lina Perepelitsa. But even the author has suspicions about its real application beyond the demo version of the layout.

7. Color Caution

While vibrant dashboards are undoubtedly appealing, striking a balance in color usage is crucial. Overloading a dashboard with too many different colors can worse its readability.

It seems that clients have already begun to get used to the fact that brand colors should not be directly implemented in the dashboard.

If you have problems with colors and diagram choosing, check my Power BI Guideline. It can help you!

A tutorial example of a dashboard in Power BI, where the palettes have gone a little crazy, and sometimes it’s even cool. But.

8. Animated Overload

While animations can be engaging, excessive use can become irritating and distracting. The key is to employ them sparingly and with a clear purpose.

In new versions of Power BI, you can insert animation and video into dashboards, I don’t have an example of this yet! But I think you can imagine how easily this can be overused.

9. Overloaded KPI Cards

A dashboard card should be concise, presenting key metrics without resembling a mini-dashboard. Overly cluttered cards can overwhelm users and defeat their purpose.

I myself enjoy creating complex cards. I believe that a simple digit on a KPI card — without context — is pointless, but everything is good in moderation! You can read about finding the ideal card and their characteristics in the article Choosing the ideal KPI Card in Power BI.

Too many cards! And everything... Source of image: https://www.preparationinfo.org/courses/interactive-excel-dashboard/

In the realm of dashboard design, the primary objective remains unaltered: delivering information effectively to facilitate data-driven decisions. It’s important to be aware of these “Dashboard Anti-Trends” that might hinder your goal of presenting data clearly and effectively.

As dashboard designers, it is essential to keep evolving with the field, adapting to new trends while leaving these anti-trends be. The art of data visualization is an ever-transforming landscape, and as we navigate its shifting tides, let’s ensure that our dashboards always serve their fundamental purpose — to empower users with insightful, actionable information.

Thank you for reading!

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