Australian Digital Agencies

Current Feature Agency: Small Multiples

Tell us a little of the history of Small Multiples

Small Multiples was established three years ago as one of the first data visualisation studios in Australia. It has its roots in the Design Lab at Sydney Uni: multidisciplinary and creative people who like to make things. It has grown from two founders to six people, and now focusses mainly on two areas: data journalism and commercial data visualisation work.

What are some projects you're particularly proud of?

• ABC Promise Tracker because it demonstrates how so many different things – exploration tools, widgets, and shareable images – can be created modularly from a single point of truth to help provide information that is contextual and most relevant.
• Financial Review Data Explorers because keeping people engaged in politics is more than juicy headlines. Making data accessible is key to an informed electorate and data visualisation is key in this process.
• SBS Census Explorer because Australia is diverse and this tool helps people learn more about themselves and each other.

Any awards?

• Winner, Best of Websites & Online Services - Cultural or Lifestyle for Cronulla Riots - The Day that Shocked the Nation (as technical developers)
• Honourable Mention, 2013 Australian Web Awards, NSW Innovation for Financial Review Data
• Finalist, 2013 PANPA Newspaper of the Year Awards Digital News Destination of the Year Innovation in Digital Publishing for Financial Review Data
• Honoree, 2014 Webby Awards, Mobile & Apps, Entertainment (Handheld Devices) for Australia Plus App (concept and design)

What's your ideal project? Client?

Our ideal project would be one where we learn heaps about a new topic. To date, we've learnt about such diverse things as rural markets, patenting genome sequences, and building management systems. Our resident Frenchman knows more about the Australian politics and federal electorates than most Australians would!

Our ideal client are passionate about what they do and know their data like the back of their hand. They would also want to be transparent, accessible, and understand the important roles data can play.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?

Everyone should be an advocate for data transparency and accessibility! Personal data and organisational data are very powerful when they are put to use. Visualisation is one of the most important mediums that can unlock the potential of data.

Images:

The images are downsized due to limited space here. The original dimensions may differ.
Click on the image to open it on a new tab.