66 Kellogg Insight are so strong, it is easy for designers to feel completely comfortable with a complex visualization because they have been immersed in the data. Viewers, however, struggle without that background. “Their brain is lit, but they don’t know what to do with it all,” Franconeri says. 7. To convey more complexity, consistency is key. By the same token, you have more leeway to create complex visualiza - tions when you show people the same type of graph again and again. “People can handle an impressive amount of complexity once they get used to it. People gain expertise in moving their eyes and attention around in a certain pattern, looking at the shape of this and the slope of that. There’s a strong visual expertise that gets developed,” he says. “Think of the flight deck of an airplane. It’s an insanely complex set of displays and controls. With practice, pilots become completely comfort - able and the complexity fades away. But that expertise is incredibly spe - cific: change the layout of those displays and controls, and your flight is in serious trouble.” 8. Innovative formats can be attention-grabbing and effective. Just make sure you provide your audience with support. Visual storytelling needn’t be stodgy or predictable. Innovation is possi - ble, so long as you tread thoughtfully. Based on insights from Steve Franconeri