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SPARK



SPARK JOURNAL

ALLI TORBAN
WELCOME!
Let's get creative.
In this journal, you'll find the Summary and
Prompt explanations from the book.
Following each one, there's a page for you to
try the prompt for yourself!

If you have any feedback or need help, please

email me: hello@[Link]

All the best,

Alli

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Summary of what creativity is...

z You don’t need to identify as a “creative type” to have
creative ideas. You need to open your hands and
start working.
z Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas or remix exist-
ing ones that end up being useful.
z Even if your idea is only new to you, it’s still creative!
z There are four types of creative acts: mini-c, little-c, Pro-c,
and Big-C. They build on each other.
z Creativity leads to innovation and moves society forward.
z To navigate creativityʼs pros and cons, we need a “creative
practice”: a set of skills and attitudes that help you gener-
ate new and useful ideas in a sustainable way.
z I found my creative practice through my career transition
and starting a podcast. To find yours, it’s going to take
bravery to experiment and go outside your comfort zone.

Try the “So What?” prompt

Take a moment to consider what being more creative would do
for you. Keep this top-of-mind to stay motivated through this
journey. Here’s a list to get you started, inspired by my experi-
ence and what others in the field have told me.
What would being more creative do for you?
z Stand out z More confidence
z More fulfilled z Elevate quality of work
z Impress clients z Trust myself to find an
z Make an impact idea

z More self-expression z Inspire action

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What would being more creative do for me?

I would feel...

I would have...

I would be able to...

I would know...

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Summary of expanding your mental boundaries

Here’s what we learned:
z Your idea can’t flourish if you snip the bud.
z Practice being more open to the ideas you’re
already having.
z Openness, positivity, and conscientiousness are key ingre-
dients to creativity, as shown in this creativity flow:

Try the “Bad Gifts” prompt

Accept these bad gifts to change your mindset to be more
open:

z Here’s a dusty VCR. z Here’s a box of ex-

z Here’s a gallon of pired coupons.
spoiled milk. z Here’s a rusty spoon.
z Here’s an old birthday z Here’s a doll with
card from my grand- missing eyes.
ma.

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How would I accept these gifts?

Here's a dusty VCR...

Here's a gallon of spoiled milk...

Here's an old birthday card from my grandma...

Here's a box of expired coupons...

Here's a rusty spoon...

Here's a doll with missing eyes...

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Summary of cultivating your inspiration...

Don’t wait around hoping to be inspired. Go out and actively
pursue it. But it’s also not enough just to collect inspiration.
You need to analyze it, and make sure you’re getting a bal-
anced inspiration diet.

z Practical Inspiration: A spark when you see clever

problem-solving in our field. X-RAY it!
z Internal Inspiration: A spark when you make time
to let your brain rest and make connections. Squeeze
the sponge!
z Energy Inspiration: A spark when you collaborate with
someone else or explore skilled craftsmanship outside our
field. Borrow their energy!

Try the “X-RAY” prompt

First, assess if you currently have a balanced inspiration diet.
Which one do you need to make more time for?
To improve the way you gather and use Practical Inspiration,
whenever a graphic catches your attention, X-RAY it. You can
keep track of your X-RAYs in a spreadsheet or a journal. I like
the former because I can search for keywords or sort.

z X: Excited. What specifically got me excited about

this graphic?
z R: Rules. How are they following data visualization best
practices?
z A: Anarchy. How did they throw out the rules?
z Y: You. How might you use this in your own work? What are
some conditions in which this would be useful?

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Do I have a balanced inpiration diet?

How do I find inspiration within my field? (Practical)

How do I currently make time to rest? (Internal)

How do I find inspiration outside my field? (Energy)

Pick an interesting graphic and answer these questions:

X: Excited. What specifically got me excited about this graphic?

R: Rules. How are they following data visualization best practices?

A: Anarchy. How did they throw out the rules?

Y: You. How might you use this in your own work? What are some
conditions in which this would be useful?

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Summary of building your habits...

Our creativity has seasons. Sometimes you’re in a creative
winter, but you’re still a professional and expected to come
up with ideas. Use habits and rituals to build your confidence
even in uncertain times, just like athletes do. It’ll take exper-
imentation and adaptation to find what works for you. Use
other people’s habits as inspiration for things to try!
One of the best habits you can create is a quitting habit. Before
you begin work, decide when you’ll take a break.

Try the “Recess List” prompt

Make a list of resting options to choose from when you need a
break to wring out your sponge:

z What can you do for a 1-minute rest break?

z What can you do for a 1-hour rest break?

z What can you do for a 1-day rest break?

Make it a habit to choose a time to take a break before you

begin working and pick a way to rest from your list. You’ll feel
more refreshed, and you don’t need to make any hard deci-
sions in the moment.

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Do I have any habits or rituals that I currently do or I could try?

My Recess List

What can I do for a 1-minute rest break?

What can I do for a 1-hour rest break?

What can I do for a 1-day rest break?

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Summary of blasting through project paralysis...

Wait for the perfect idea and you’ll run out of road, like I would
when merging on the highway. You need the courage to be-
gin, the faith that an idea will come, and then over time, your
confidence in ideation will grow. Use the Idea Isosceles to gain
momentum and confidence in your ideation. Now, get moving
and look for the path, not the trees.

Try the “Idea Isosceles” prompt

If you’re starting a new project, especially if you’re avoiding it,
take out a fresh piece of paper and draw a large triangle. Break
it up into three sections:

z Top section: Draw anything you like. Make it fun!

z Middle section: Write keywords from your brief and your
constraints.
z Bottom section: Start sketching and writing possible con-
cepts. Use the left side for obvious ideas and the right side
for new ideas.

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Draw anything I like!

Keywords,
goals,
constraints

Sketch Sketch
obvious "what-if"
ideas ideas

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Summary of seeing through a new lens...

During a creative project, often the biggest roadblock to com-
ing up with an idea is the assumptions we unknowingly hold
on to. You can see through a new lens by breaking the project
into smaller parts and considering opposites.
Next time you feel stuck in a project because it feels too big or
it’s hard to see a path forward, try this “Break-the-Box” prompt
to challenge your assumptions and see the project through a
new lens. You may just find a bat among the blackbirds!

Try the “Break-the-Box” prompt

See your project through a new lens.

z Draw a rectangle in the middle of a piece of paper.

z Write a specific aspect of your project that you’re struggling
with in the center of the rectangle. If that feels too chal-
lenging, write the topic or the goal of your project.
z Start a timer for 2 minutes.
z On each side of the four sides of the box, write an assump-
tion you’re making about the project.
z Then, for each assumption, write the opposite of that
assumption.
z Is there an opposite that might actually offer a via-
ble solution?

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Start a 2-minute timer...

Opposite

Assumption

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Summary of finding meaningful stories...

Data is useless without the human lens to make meaning of
it. Editors make their living creating stories that people are
interested in reading, so let’s learn from them! Start with your
observation in the data, then identify the conflict, timeliness,
and possible resolutions to uncover more meaning in your
data. You may just tell a story from an angle that no one has
seen before. Now that’s creative!

Try the “CTR” prompt

To take an obvious observation to a meaningful data story,
answer these questions:

z OBSERVATION: What have you noticed in this dataset?

Is there an outlier, pattern, or relationship? It’s OK if
it’s obvious.
z CONFLICT: If this observation is true, then what’s the con-
sequence? Who will be affected?
z TIMELY: Why is this important now? What can I compare it
to that is important now?
z RESOLUTION: What could help? What action can we take?
Where do we find more information?

Think about the chart type that would highlight this meaning-
ful angle in an effective way. This will help you create a mean-
ingful and creative graphic.

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Analyze the data, then answer...

Observation: Is there an outlier, pattern, or relationship?

Conflict: If this observation is true, then whatʼs the consequence?

Who will be affected?

Timely: Why is this important now? What can I compare it to that

is important now?

Resolution: What could help? What action can we take?

Where do we find more information?

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Summary of finding a balance...

Working with clients and stakeholders is tough because you
both enter the project with different expectations and goals.
It’s your job to make sure you’re both pointing at the same
target and setting expectations for how “new and creative” the
solution is.
Ask questions to assess whether this is a good situation to just
go with best practices or if you should push for something new.
Does your reader have time, patience, attentiveness, under-
standing? Do you have a lot of time? No two situations are the
same. Also, keep in mind that creativity is a risky act, so take
care of yourself.

Try the “4Q” prompt

When you begin a new project, ask yourself or your client these
four questions and plot the answer on a sliding scale from 1 to
10 (low to high). Then, average the ratings and the result will
help you determine the most suitable direction for your proj-
ect. Less than 5, then stick with the “tried-and-true” solutions.
More than 5, this may be a good time to experiment!

z How much time or patience does the reader have?

z How much do I need to capture the reader’s attention?
z How many past struggles have there been to convey
this concept?
z How much time or resources do I, as the designer, have
available?

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 SPARK JOURNAL

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Summary of using visual metaphors...

Visual metaphors help our reader understand complex topics
by leaning on information they already know. They also add
another layer of emotion and memorability. Reach for a visual
metaphor if your client is concerned that their concept is too
complicated for their reader, it’s lacking emotion, or it’s im-
portant for the reader to remember the information. To find a
visual metaphor, you need to find a source that you can map
your concept onto. It’s a messy process!

Try the “Haystack” prompt

Follow these steps to brainstorm a visual metaphor:
z Step 1: Write a summary sentence of what you’re trying to
communicate.
z Step 2: Answer these questions to start building your
haystack: What are the notable features of your concept?
What’s the purpose or value of those features? How are
the features arranged, structured, related to each other?
Is there glue holding it all together? What’s the beginning
state like? What’s the transformative action? What’s the
ending state like? What’s the overall effect?
z Step 3: Pick out keywords in the answers you wrote down
in steps 1 and 2.
z Step 4: Write down synonyms, antonyms, or images that
come to mind for your keywords.
z Step 5: Pick out keywords again, grabbing words that
would apply to different categories or genres, and list out
those associations.
z Step 6: Sketch a few ideas that sparked a connection with
your concept.
z Step 7: Test your sketches and adjust.

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Finding a visual metaphor...

Write a summary sentence of what youʼre trying to communicate.

What are the notable features of your concept? Whatʼs the purpose
or value of those features? How are the features arranged,
structured, related to each other? Is there glue holding it all
together? Whatʼs the beginning state like? Whatʼs the transformative
action? Whatʼs the ending state like? Whatʼs the overall effect?

Rewrite a few keywords from above and write down synonyms,

antonyms, or images that come to mind for them.

Pick out a few keywords again, grabbing words that would apply to
different categories or genres, and list out those associations.

Sketch out how one of these words might apply to your concept...

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Summary of mixing mediums and experiences...

A creative idea doesn’t have to be completely new; it can be a
remix of existing ideas. This takes the pressure off of coming
up with a creative idea. The more elements you bring into your
work, the more unique it’ll be!

Try the “Tango” prompt

What are you working on right now? What would it look like in
a different medium? What could you do to incorporate another
experience around it? By giving the elements from these lists
a chance to “dance” together for a moment, we can quickly
generate new ideas. Use the lists in this chapter to fill out varia-
tions of this sentence:
Through the medium, I brought together
experience and concept (your concept).

Or use this prompt in an AI chatbot: “My concept is <explain

your concept, the data you have or challenge youʼre trying
to solve>. Use the lists of mediums and experiences below
to generate 100 variations of mediums and experiences and
how they can apply to my concept.”

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Use the lists below to fill in the sentences on the next page.

Mediums
• Paint • Article • Social media
• Sculpture • Book • Podcast
• Collage • Infographic • Radio
• Textile • Digital art • TV show
• Newspaper • Photography • Exhibit
• Magazine • Video
• Comics • Blog

Experiences
• Taste • Sound { Texture
• Smell { Rhythm { Pain
• Visual { Vibration { Wetness
{ Brightness { Loudness • Time
{ Color { Pitch { Duration
{ Contrast { Tempo { Movement
{ Depth { Timbre { Pace
{ Motion • Touch { Frequency
{ Shadow { Temperature { Delay
{ Blur { Pressure

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Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

Through the medium, I brought together

experience and

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Dataviz Brief
Use my data communication project questionnaire
below before you begin a project. It will help you and
your client point at the same target, and give you clear
guidelines to reference as you’re creating.

PROJECT CONSULTATION
Project Details
• What is the project?
• Why are you doing this project?
• Why are you doing this project now?
• What is your timeline?
{ Are there intermediate deadlines?
• What is your goal for the project?
• How will we know that we’re successful? What will
be different from what’s happening now?
{ How can we measure that? Is there a leading
indicator?
• How will we know we’re not successful? What
would have happened for this project to be
a failure?

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• What challenges do you foresee with this project?

• Are there any absent stakeholders we need to
keep in the loop?
{ Who needs to approve the final graphic?
{ Who will handle other implementation
components? (development, etc.)

Audience
• Who is this project for?
{ What are a few words that describe
your audience?
{ What are they struggling with?
{ How interested are they in this topic?
{ How attentive will they be when they meet
the graphic?
• What’s our promise to our audience?
{ After they see this project, they’ll know …
{ After they see this project, they’ll have …
{ After they see this project, they’ll be
able to do …
{ After they see this project, they’ll feel …
• Can we measure any of those promises?
• Assumption check: What indication do you have
that they want any of those things?
• What’s at risk if your audience doesn’t receive
your project?

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Data & Visualization

• Is the data already available? If not, when will
it be ready?
• Where does the data come from?
• Do you expect any incompleteness or known
limitations?
• About how much data is there?
• What format is it in?
• Will the data be changing and will you need access
to edit it yourself?
• Do you already have a preferred encoding method/
chart type in mind?
• Is there a chart type that you absolutely don’t
want to use?
• What would you want a reader to take away if they
only had 5 seconds?

Design Specifications
• Is this part of a larger project?
• Do you have brand guidelines to follow?
• What is the medium for the project? Static,
interactive, web, print …
• Any specific formats or sizes?
• Are you considering using the graphics in multiple
mediums? (like social media, animated video)
• Are there any accessibility concerns?
• Are there any colors that you absolutely hate?

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• Are there any visual elements that you want

to include specifically? (e.g., people, icons,
photography, patterns?)

Art Direction
• In a few words …
{ What are your organization’s core values?
{ How would your audience or community
describe you?
{ How would you describe your audience?
{ How do people feel after interacting with you?
{ What value do you deliver to others?
{ How are you different than your competition?
• What emotion do you want your audience to feel
when they view the project?

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I hope you enjoyed this Spark Journal!

If you have a moment, I'd be so grateful if you could

leave a short review of the book on Amazon:

[Link]

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