Thinking Outside of the Power BI Box

Ever feel "boxed in" by Power BI’s standard visuals? We're often stuck with bar charts, line graphs, and tables because they're familiar and "business standard." But what if we break free from those norms?

We've all been there—adding a bar chart to Power BI, tweaking colors, maybe some conditional formatting, and calling it a day. But imagine if we went beyond that?

While traditional visuals have their place, embracing creativity can truly transform data storytelling in ways that standard charts simply can't match. And sometimes, the key to standing out isn’t just within Power BI—it’s in leveraging external design tools like Adobe Illustrator and Figma to create dashboards that don’t just inform, but wow your audience.

Why Use External Design Tools?

Power BI is an incredible tool for analysis and visualization, but when it comes to fully customizing the look and feel of your reports, it has limitations. That’s where Illustrator and Figma come in:

✅ More control over design elements – Adjust fonts, icons, and layouts with pixel-perfect precision.

✅ Unique, branded backgrounds – Break away from Power BI’s default grid structure.

✅ Custom SVGs and Icons – Enhance clarity and storytelling with vector graphics.

✅ Professional Aesthetic – Make your dashboards look polished, modern, and engaging.

---

Here are some ways you can use Illustrator or Figma with your Power BI projects...

1 - Create Custom Dashboard Backgrounds

One of the best ways to make a Power BI dashboard stand out is to design a custom background in Illustrator or Figma.

Why?

• You can create sleek, modern layouts instead of using Power BI’s default shapes.

• Add sections, shadows, and containers to create a clean and structured look.

• Make dashboards feel like designed applications rather than generic reports.

How?

1. Design your dashboard layout in Illustrator or Figma (e.g., side panels, headers, KPIs, and sections).

2. Export it as a high-resolution PNG or SVG.

3. Set it as a background in Power BI and layer visuals on top for a custom look.

   
   

Pro Tip: Keep padding and spacing in mind so Power BI visuals fit perfectly within the design.

2 - Enhance Visuals with Custom Overlays

Sometimes, Power BI’s default charts don’t offer the flexibility you need. With Illustrator or Figma, you can create custom chart overlays that give a more engaging look.

Example Use Cases

• Custom KPI Cards: Design high-impact KPI cards with gradients, borders, or shadows.

• Infographic Elements: Instead of a standard stacked line chart, use a progress bar overlay from Illustrator (example video below).

• Branded Report Titles & Footers: Add a company-branded title bar with consistent fonts, logos, and colors.

Pro Tip: If your dashboard will be used for executive reporting, a clean and branded look makes a significant difference in engagement.

Check out this quick tutorial on creating a visual overlay!

🔹 Video 1 – Designing and exporting the overlay in Adobe Illustrator

By using tools like Adobe Illustrator, you can create layers to enhance your dashboard. Above, I've designed a simple layout for this demonstration, and with just a few clicks, it's ready to be imported into Power BI.

🔹 Video 2 – Integrating the overlay with a stacked bar chart in Power BI

Once in Power BI, it takes only a few minutes to customize a stacked bar chart into something that looks more visually appealing.

3 - Use SVGs for Custom Icons & Infographics

Icons can help tell a story better than words. Power BI has limited icon options, but Illustrator and Figma allow you to create or import custom SVG icons for a professional touch.

How?

1. Download or design icons in Illustrator/Figma.

2. Export as SVG.

3. Use Power BI’s Shape or Image features to insert them into reports.

4. (Optional) Convert SVGs into Power BI measures to make them dynamic based on data!

Example: Use custom fuel pump icons in an oil & gas report instead of a generic KPI card to make insights more intuitive.

4 - Build Interactive Wireframes Before Development

Jumping straight into Power BI can sometimes lead to messy layouts. Using Figma to create wireframes first can help:

✅ Plan visual hierarchy before committing to a layout.

✅ Save time by reducing trial and error in Power BI.

✅ Share designs with stakeholders for feedback before building the dashboard.

How?

1. Design a wireframe in Figma (placeholders for charts, filters, and KPIs).

2. Share it with team members for review.

3. Once finalized, use it as a reference when building the actual dashboard in Power BI.

Pro Tip: Use Figma’s auto-layout feature to create responsive designs that look great across different screen sizes.

---

Bringing It All Together

Power BI is a powerful tool, but that doesn’t mean we have to limit ourselves to its built-in visuals. By combining Power BI’s analytics power with Illustrator and Figma’s design flexibility, you can create dashboards that don’t just present data—they captivate audiences.

The key is to think beyond what Power BI gives you by default and start considering how design principles from other fields—like UI/UX, branding, and storytelling—can take your dashboards to the next level. Instead of settling for a basic dashboard, ask yourself:

• How can I make this more engaging for my audience?

• Is there a way to guide the user’s eye better?

• Can I integrate icons, overlays, or backgrounds to make this feel more polished?

Thinking outside the Power BI box means viewing your dashboard as more than just a collection of charts—it’s a data-driven experience. The more thoughtfully designed your dashboard, the more impact it will have on your audience.

✅ Use Figma/Illustrator to create custom backgrounds, icons, and overlays.

✅ Break free from default visuals by designing unique KPI cards and chart elements.

✅ Plan before you build using wireframes for better design execution.

✅ Make dashboards feel like modern applications, not just spreadsheets with graphs.

Power BI isn’t just a data tool—it’s a storytelling tool. The better your design, the more powerful your insights become.

If you’re looking for ways to take your Power BI dashboards to the next level and need guidance, feel free to reach out! I'd love to help brainstorm ideas and explore creative solutions.