Data Studio Showcase: Formula 1 2020

Data visualisation is fast becoming one of the most important aspects of driving a data driven decision making process, supporting the presentation of key statistics and important information in a way that can be easily digested, interpreted, and analysed. Google Data Studio is our preferred tool for data visualisation, across a wide range of report types, requirements, and industries.

A Visualised Approach To Data

At the foundation of this visualised approach is a belief in statistics and data, and that belief extends to the methods used for presenting that data and the capabilities of the software available. Key to this, is understanding how best to use your chosen software and the potential it offers. This comes with practice and experience, but also through seeing what is possible.

While our Data Studio reports typically focus on website analytics, social engagement data, and Ecommerce platforms, we also like to create a variety of interactive reports in completely different areas such as sporting challenges, music, and even our team’s very own Glow Quiz! We do this not only because we love statistics and charts, but because it also provides a brilliant method of showcasing the possibilities that are available in Google Data Studio.

Ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 Season kicking off in the coming weeks, we’ve decided to share our overview of the previous two Formula 1 seasons. We’ll also be updating this F1 Dashboard with the latest race results and Championship standings, so follow the upcoming season with us and dive into some of the data behind the races.

 

Dynamic Images and Navigation Links

We have previously explored some of the interactive features in Data Studio, in our Rugby World Cup Dashboard, in particular the various filters that can be applied by a user to dynamically update the data displayed to them, as well as some of the chart designs and colour options available. I

n this showcase, we’re highlighting the dynamic images that you can pull into a dataset and display on your dashboard, as well as adding navigation links to help users explore your dashboard.

In our dataset, images have been entered as URLs and attributed to each entry. For example, each race has a corresponding track layout and flag, whilst each driver has a portrait, helmet icon, car design, and flag. These are entered in the same way that any other linked data would be, and the heavy lifting is done by Data Studio. These will automatically be pulled in as URLs, and we can choose to show these URLs as images in tables or widgets.

The method for adding navigation links at the top of the dashboard has thankfully been streamlined in Data Studio, and we can create a textbox with the URL for the various pages in the dashboard. Part of the streamlining for this is that the interface will allow you to select a page from the report when adding a link, including dynamic links for the next or previous page, as well as the first or last page of a dashboard.

Depending on the size of your dashboard, and the familiarity of the user, this might be a good method of helping guide users through your report.  

Practice Creating Reports and Explore The Interface

We hope these simple showcases of the power of Google Data Studio encourage you to look into some of the features included in Data Studio when it comes to building your very own customisable, interactivity, and dynamic data dashboard. There is a huge variety of dashboards you may end up building, whether these are focused on Google Analytics, Social Media Campaigns, or more bespoke datasets.

We would encourage you to take the plunge and start practising with data visualisations of your own, improve your skillset, and ultimately create better data reports in Google Data Studio.  

If you’d like to know about Google Data Studio, please feel free to leave a comment or contact us and we’d be happy to help. You can find more guides and articles for all things Digital Analytics on the GlowMetrics Blog, or you can also follow us on Twitter.