Naomi Howarth is an author, illustrator, and designer based in London. With around five years of experience, she’s made a name for herself by turning complex relationship data into clear, eye-catching infographics. Through her work, Naomi makes dating trends, attraction metrics, and relationship insights easier to understand and more relatable. In this interview, we’ll chat about how she uses design to break down the science of attraction, which makes facts and figures about love more approachable. From dating habits to communication styles, Naomi’s visuals show how relationships really work—one chart at a time.
What inspired you to combine graphic design with relationship topics? Was there a specific moment that sparked your interest in visualizing attraction metrics?
I’ve always loved graphic design—making things look good and clear. Combining it with relationship topics just clicked for me. I’ve been designing for about five years, and I noticed how dry stats about love and attraction can feel. I wanted to make them fun and easy to grasp with colorful charts. The spark? Honestly, it hit me one day while reading a boring research paper on dating. I thought, “Why not turn this into something people actually enjoy looking at?” That’s when I started mixing my design skills with relationship info. Now, I create graphs and articles to show the science of attraction. It’s all about making tricky stuff simple and pretty!
How has your experience as an illustrator and designer shaped the way you approach relationship statistics?
I used to just see numbers as dull facts, but now I think about how to make them pop. My design background pushes me to turn boring data—like how many people like tall partners—into colorful, fun graphs. As an illustrator, I focus on keeping things simple and eye-catching so anyone can get it fast. I mix my art skills with the stats to tell a story, not just list figures. It’s like drawing a picture with numbers! Working on articles and charts every day taught me to spot what’s interesting and show it. That’s how my design life shapes my take on love stats.
Infographic storytelling is often used for business or educational purposes. What made you see them as a tool for telling stories about love and dating?
I’ve always loved how infographics can break down complex ideas into something easy to understand. Relationships are full of patterns, trends, and statistics, but when you just read numbers, they can feel dry and impersonal. Turning them into visuals makes the information more relatable. You can see how dating habits change, what attracts people, or how relationships grow, all in a way that feels more human. It’s not just about the stats—it’s about showing the real stories behind them. That’s what made me want to use infographics for love and dating.
How do you decide which relationship trends or attraction metrics deserve to be visualized?
I usually focus on trends and metrics that feel relevant to people’s everyday experiences with dating and relationships. If a statistic highlights how people connect, what they look for in a partner, or how dating habits are shifting, it’s worth visualizing. I also look for patterns that might surprise people or spark conversation. The goal is to make relationship insights feel less abstract and more personal. If I read a stat and think, “That’s interesting, but it needs context to really hit home,” that’s when I know it’s perfect for an infographic.
Can you walk us through your process of transforming raw dating trends into a catchy visual format?
I start by looking at the raw data and picking out the key points that actually mean something to people—like how dating habits are changing or what factors people find most attractive. Once I have those highlights, I think about the best way to show them visually. A pie chart might work for preferences, while a timeline fits for dating trends over time. The goal is to make sure the design doesn’t just look nice but also helps tell the story behind the numbers. After that, it’s about keeping things clean, colorful, and easy to read.
Are there any challenges you face when balancing scientific accuracy with an aesthetically pleasing design?
Definitely. The biggest challenge is making sure the data stays accurate while keeping the design clear and easy to understand. It’s tempting to simplify things too much for the sake of style, but that can make the information misleading. I always start with the numbers, figure out the key message, and then build the design around that. It’s about finding a balance—highlighting the most important points without losing what the data actually says. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right, but it’s worth the effort.
What trends in dating and relationships have surprised you the most while working with this data?
One trend that really surprised me is how much communication styles affect attraction. It’s not just about looks or shared interests—things like texting habits and how quickly someone responds can actually shape how a relationship develops. Another interesting shift is how more people are prioritizing emotional compatibility over traditional “must-haves” like career or appearance. It’s also been eye-opening to see how dating apps have changed the way people approach relationships. Many now see them less as a last resort and more as just another way to meet someone.
Have you noticed any generational differences in how people use relationship statistics?
Yes, there’s definitely a generational difference. Younger people, especially Gen Z, seem more interested in relationship statistics, but they prefer quick, visual formats like infographics or short videos. They’re also more likely to share this kind of content on social media, almost like conversation starters. Millennials, on the other hand, tend to engage more with detailed articles alongside the visuals, they want both the stats and the context. Older generations often show interest, but they’re usually more skeptical about how much data can really explain relationships. It’s interesting to see how each group interacts with the same information in such different ways.
How do you ensure that complex relationship data remains accessible and relatable through your visuals?
I keep things simple by focusing on the story behind the data. Instead of throwing out a bunch of numbers, I show the points that actually matter to people—like how dating habits are changing or what people value most in relationships. I also break complex stats into smaller, clear visuals like pie charts, bar graphs, or timelines. Color, icons, and short captions help make everything easier to follow. My goal is always to make sure someone can look at an infographic and understand the main idea in just a few seconds.
Do you find that people are more likely to trust relationship advice when it’s presented through infographics rather than traditional articles?
Yes, I think so. Infographics make relationship advice feel more approachable and less like a lecture. When people see clear visuals alongside the facts, it’s easier to understand the message and feel confident about the information. It’s not just words—it’s patterns and numbers shown in a way that makes sense at a glance. I’ve noticed people are more likely to share or discuss advice when it’s presented visually, probably because it feels more grounded in real data rather than just opinions.
Have any of your infographics sparked unexpected conversations or feedback from your audience?
Yes, quite a few times. One infographic about how texting habits affect attraction really got people talking. Some were surprised by how much response time mattered, while others shared their own experiences of misreading messages. Another one on dating app success rates led to a lot of back-and-forth about whether matches made online last as long as those from real life. It’s always interesting when a simple visual gets people sharing stories or even just laughing about how relatable the stats are.
How do you measure the success of an infographic in terms of both engagement and understanding?
I measure success by how people react to the infographic. If it gets shared, sparks comments, or leads to discussions, that’s a good sign it connected with the audience. But it’s not just about numbers—if someone says, “I never thought about relationships that way,” or tells me the visual helped them understand something better, that’s the real win. I also look at how long people interact with the content. If they’re sticking around instead of just scrolling past, it usually means the design and message worked together well.
As dating trends continue to develop, how do you see the role of visual learning shifting in conversations about relationships?
Visual learning is becoming more important as dating trends shift. People are flooded with information, so clear, quick visuals help make sense of it all. Infographics can show how attitudes toward relationships change over time or what people actually look for in a partner. It’s easier to connect with a chart that shows dating patterns than to read a long article about it. I think visuals will continue to shape conversations, which makes complex trends feel more personal and easier to discuss. It’s about turning data into something people can relate to.
Do you have any upcoming projects focused on attraction metrics or relationship insights that you’re excited about?
Yes, I’m currently working on a series of infographics that break down how attraction works across different age groups. It’s interesting to see how priorities shift—from physical attraction to emotional connection—as people get older. I’m also creating visuals around the impact of communication styles on dating success, like how certain texting habits can make or break early connections. It’s always fun to see how numbers can reflect real relationship experiences, and I’m excited to share these new projects soon.
How has working with relationship data influenced your own views on attraction and connection?
Working with relationship data has made me realize how much attraction goes beyond first impressions. It’s easy to think chemistry is all about looks or common interests, but the numbers show it’s often about communication, shared values, and timing. I’ve also seen how dating trends shift with age, culture, and even technology. It’s made me more open-minded about what connection really means—there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Every chart I create reminds me that relationships are as extraordinary as the people in them.
If you could create an infographic that represents love itself, what would it look like?
I’d create an infographic that shows love as a growing tree. The roots would represent trust, communication, and respect—things that hold everything together. The trunk would show shared experiences, the everyday moments that build connection. Each branch would represent different types of love: romantic, friendship, self-love, and family. The leaves and flowers would be the little joys—laughing together or simply knowing someone cares. I’d keep the design simple and warm, because love isn’t just one big thing—it’s a lot of small moments that add up over time.
