Introduction to Data Visualisation and Infographic Design

Description:

This one-day hands-on workshop, introduces the fundamentals of data visualisation and infographic design.

Data visualisations and infographics provide a great way of communicating insight – in reports, on social media, in presentations – and in the field of social research there's no shortage of material to work with, qualitative as well as quantitative. However there's little guidance out there on how to get started and how to get the best out of their use.
At the start of the process the range of possible outcomes can be a daunting prospect. Should you be going for a diagram, a dashboard, an interactive online tool? During this workshop we will consider all the factors that have an impact on the infographic you end up with – insight, audience, platform, resources – and look at the steps you need to go through to get to a good result.
While we will discuss the tools available for creating data visualisations and infographics – and have a go on laptops* in the afternoon – the emphasis of the day will be on understanding the principles that underpin a successful piece of work rather than mastering the tools to create it.
The day will involve both theory, explained with illustrated with examples, as well as exercises so attendees can explore ideas and learn for themselves.

* If you don't have, or can't bring, a laptop that's not a problem: you can join someone else to work in a small group just as effectively.

Learning outcomes

• How, why and when to use an infographic
• Defining a clear story
• Recognising suitable material to work with
• Optimising infographics for different media and audiences
• Understanding the role of design
• Confidence to have a go

Topics

• What are infographics?
• Infographics in social research
• The story
• What to visualise
• Storytelling techniques
• Introduction to graphic design
• A good brief
• The process
• Tools for creating infographics
• Common pitfalls

Who will benefit
Anyone who has an interest in creating or commissioning infographics.

Course tutor

Nigel Hawtin runs his own information design, training and consultancy company http://www.nigelhawtin.com

He originally trained and studied as a scientific and botanical illustrator using paint brushes, pencils and pens before becoming Graphics editor of New Scientist, where he stayed for 20 years. Starting in print at New Scientist, his infographics and datavis work now cover all medium, from print to online.

He started his own information design and consultancy business five years ago. His clients range from Scientific American and the University of Toronto to the BBC, The Guardian, the NHS, the IPCC, and many EU institutions including EMCDDA (EU Drug Dependency Agency) and EUROPOL. He also teaches and runs workshops throughout Europe and the Far East. He regularly writes about his work and loves to look back at what was done in the past  http://nigelhawtin.com/10-years-ago/

Cost:

£270.00 (includes lunch and all refreshments) Members of SRA receive a 25% discount and pay £202.50

Website and registration:

www.the-sra.org.uk/training

Region:

Scotland

Keywords:

Data Visualisation

Related publications and presentations:

Data Visualisation

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