How to Design a Dashboard [Analyzing with Real Examples]

How to design a dashboard that communicates insights effectively goes beyond merely arranging data points—it’s about crafting a clear and intuitive medium of communication. A well-designed dashboard guides users seamlessly through the information, transforming complex insights into accessible, actionable data. Since dashboards serve as a bridge between raw data and user understanding, their success is deeply connected to both the clarity of the information presented and the visual quality of the design.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the dos and don’ts of dashboard design, showing real examples to help you build dashboards that are both impactful and visually compelling.

Methodological Foundation

Before we dive in, I’d like to make a quick disclaimer. When reading many blog posts online, I often felt that something was missing—the author rarely mentioned the methodology behind their tips on what to do or avoid in a given subject. I have to admit, this frustrated me, as I’d have no clear starting point if I wanted to dig deeper. So, I want to be transparent with you: for this post, I’ve based my insights on two main resources.

The first resource is a well-known book among dashboard design experts, Information Dashboard Design: The Effective Visual Communication of Data by Stephen Few. The second resource is the Gestalt Principles of Visual Perception. While the author touches on this topic in his book, I also conducted further research through various online articles. Drawing from these two resources, I’ve put together some key considerations on how to design a dashboard, focusing on the dos and don’ts of dashboard design, to help you create one that communicates effectively and is visually appealing. While these points are not exhaustive—there are certainly other aspects to consider when designing a dashboard—I believe the ones outlined here offer a strong foundation for getting started.

Let’s go!

Don’t Overload with Information

One of the biggest mistakes in dashboard design is information overload. When too much data is presented at once, users struggle to focus on the key insights. This often happens when a dashboard contains too many data points or displays too many blocks, leading to a cluttered, overwhelming view. The goal of a dashboard should be to highlight key metrics and trends, not overwhelm the user with an excess of data.

A good rule of thumb is to keep the number of blocks between 5 and 7, depending on the complexity of the data and the target audience. This allows users to quickly understand the insights being presented without feeling overwhelmed.

This Sales Dashboard is a great example of avoiding information overload. It focuses on just four key blocks: the sales goal, sales over the year, sales by salesperson, and sales by channel. By limiting the number of blocks, the dashboard ensures that users can quickly grasp the most important insights without feeling overwhelmed by too much data.

Do Establish Visual Hierarchy

Another crucial don’t in dashboard design is neglecting visual hierarchy. Without a clear visual hierarchy, users may find it challenging to separate key insights from secondary or less important data. This make it harder to quickly grasp the most crucial information.

But what is visual hierarchy? It refers to the arrangement of elements in a way that guides the user’s eye naturally from the most important data points to the less important ones.

To apply visual hierarchy effectively, it’s important to consider factors like size, color, contrast, and placement of elements. Larger, bolder text and contrasting colors can be used to highlight primary data, while secondary information should be less prominent. Grouping related data together and using spacing effectively can also help establish a clear flow and make the dashboard more user-friendly.

This Project Management Dashboard applies the principle of visual hierarchy by organizing information in a way that guides the user’s eye from the most important metrics to supporting details. Key data points, such as Total Tasks, Tasks Completed, and Projects in Progress, are displayed prominently at the top in large, colorful boxes, making them immediately noticeable and easy to distinguish. Below these main metrics, the Task Flow chart offers a more detailed breakdown, but its placement and smaller size ensure it doesn’t compete visually with the primary figures. On the right, circular spending indicators are aligned vertically, keeping this information distinct while maintaining a balanced layout.

Additionally, the consistent color scheme and ample whitespace between sections help prevent visual clutter, allowing users to focus on one area at a time without feeling overwhelmed. This structured design supports quick comprehension, allowing users to intuitively grasp the dashboard's main insights.

Do Have Whitespaces

Incorporating proper whitespace is essential in dashboard design. Whitespace, or negative space, is the area around and between elements on a dashboard. While it might seem like unused space, it plays a vital role in improving readability and creating a more organized layout. Without sufficient whitespace, a dashboard can feel crowded and overwhelming, making it harder for users to quickly absorb and focus on the key insights.

Whitespace helps establish a visual hierarchy by giving each element room to breathe and stand out. When used effectively, it can guide the user's eye from the most important data points to the secondary information, making the dashboard more intuitive. By spacing out blocks of data and separating different sections, you create a natural flow that makes it easier for users to process information quickly.

In this Payments Dashboard, the whitespace principle is applied effectively to enhance readability and focus. Each data block, such as "Gross Volume," "Successful Payments," and "Churn Rate," is given ample space around it, allowing each element to stand out without crowding the others. The use of whitespace creates a visual separation between different metrics, making it easier for users to locate specific information at a glance.

Additionally, the balanced use of whitespace between sections, such as "General Statistics" and the main payment metrics, helps users quickly differentiate between distinct areas of the dashboard, creating a clean, organized layout that reduces cognitive load and guides the user's eye naturally across the content.

Do Limit Your Color Choices

One common don’t in dashboard design is using too many colors without a defined color palette. An overload of different colors can create visual chaos, making it harder for users to focus on key insights and distracting from the clarity of the data.

A carefully chosen color palette, on the other hand, helps to create a sense of harmony, guiding the user’s eye to important information and improving the overall readability of the dashboard.

This E-commerce Dashboard effectively applies the principle of limiting color choices by maintaining a consistent, neutral color scheme across most elements, which enhances readability and creates a cohesive look. This consistency is balanced with the use of subtle color highlights in specific areas, such as in the charts, to draw attention to critical metrics. This approach not only preserves a clean, professional appearance but also uses color strategically to emphasize key data points without overwhelming the viewer.

Don’t Use Complicated Charts

Overly complex charts, such as 3D graphs or multi-layered pie charts, can make it difficult for users to understand the data at a glance. These types of visualizations often add unnecessary complexity, making it harder to extract meaningful insights quickly. To ensure a clear and effective design, it’s crucial to prioritize simplicity in chart choices and presentation.

The Human Resouces Dashboard applies this idea by using simple, easy-to-understand visualizations such as pie charts, bar charts, and line charts. These chart types are straightforward and familiar to most users, making it easier for them to quickly interpret the data. By avoiding complex or overly detailed chart types, the dashboard ensures that key HR metrics, like retention rates, are presented in a clear and digestible format.

Do Provide Option for Detailed Insights

Dashboards should display information in an aggregated format to provide a high-level overview. However, when a user seeks more specific details, such as knowing the value for a particular day, interactive elements like tooltips should be used to provide that additional context without cluttering the main view. This approach keeps the dashboard clean while allowing users to access detailed data when needed.

The Landing Page Dashboard applies this by presenting key metrics, such as conversion rates, total visitors, sessions duration, and bounce rates, in an aggregated format for a quick overview. When users hover over specific data points, a tooltip appears, offering more detailed information, such as the exact value for a particular time period or specific visitor behavior. This ensures the dashboard remains clean and easy to navigate, while still providing the option for users to access granular insights as needed.

Do Enable Filtering and Customization Options

A one-size-fits-all approach often falls short because different users have unique needs and preferences when it comes to data. For example, one user might only be interested in sales data for a specific region, while another might need to see data for a different time period. In these cases, filters provide an effective solution, allowing users to customize the data they see based on their specific requirements. By enabling users to filter data, you ensure they can access the relevant insights they need, reducing confusion and helping them make informed decisions. The Marketing Campaign Analysis Dashboard applies this idea by allowing users to interactively filter data based on specific criteria, such as date ranges. This empowers users to focus on the most relevant information for their analysis, providing a personalized and dynamic experience. Filtering enhances the dashboard’s usability, allowing users to drill down into specific details and make informed decisions based on their unique needs.

Don’t Neglect Mobile Compatibility

A dashboard that looks good on a desktop may not be as readable on a mobile device. This is because the screen size and layout constraints on mobile devices are much smaller, which can cause elements to appear cluttered or hard to read. For example, detailed charts, large tables, or wide blocks might become difficult to navigate on a small screen. If a dashboard is not optimized for mobile, users may struggle to interact with the data or may miss key insights altogether.

This Customer Support Dashboard applies this idea by ensuring that both the mobile and desktop versions are optimized for usability and display. On mobile, the layout adjusts to fit smaller screens, while still offering the same key features and visual clarity as the desktop version. This ensures users can easily access and interpret support metrics, such as ticket status, response time, and customer satisfaction, on any device.