About this Event

Dataviz and infographic storytelling are fast-evolving graphic languages that are transforming design, data journalism and presentations. This online workshop provides an introduction to data visualisation’s potential as a storytelling medium as well as the principles behind the construction of effective and compelling visual displays of information.

Format

The content is delivered through a mix of teaching, discussion, and exercises across two half-day workshops on consecutive days.

Attendees will work independently and in groups to address briefs with original visual solutions.

Topics covered include:

• The history and principles of data-driven storytelling
• Visual perception theory in practice
• The anatomy of an effective visual display of information
• Colour theory and usage
• Charting conventions
• The use of visual metaphors and semiotics applied to data encoding
• Linear and interactive storytelling
• Primary considerations: audience, purpose, medium
• An overview of selected digital tools

Objectives

The main goal of this workshop is to provide the knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop a strong foundation on information design.

Poorly designed presentations of data slow down decision-making, mislead your audience and can ultimately damage your brand. This workshop combines theoretical instruction with exercises in sketching and storyboarding to provide a detailed understanding of different aspects of decision-making that go into the creation of an effective data-driven narrative (infographic or dataviz).

Main objectives:

• Gain a clear understanding of why and how we visualise data
• Increase the sophistication of how to read and evaluate the effectiveness of visual displays of information, in order to create better briefs and/or give feedback effectively
• Learn how to maximise design for impact, understanding and memorability
• Identify best-fit solutions for data visualisation through a step by step process
• Build a vocabulary of terms to bring back into the workflow

Timetable

Day One - Tuesday, 7th September

8.30am - Welcome and Introductions

8.45am - Sketching with data / Icebreaker : Mapping the World

10.00am - Break

10.20am - Fundamentals / Practice: Encoding-decoding

11.00am - The Anatomy of an Infographic + Q&As

12.30pm - End of day 1

Day Two - Wednesday, 8th September

8.30am - Recap / Practice: Evaluation of an Infographic

9.00am - Design is Storytelling / Practice: Flowcharts to map story and establish relationships

9.45am - Tools Overview

10.00am - Break

10.20am - Charting Conventions / Practice: Visualising a data set

11.30am - Process Overviews + Q&As

12.30pm - End

Who Should Attend?

Designers, developers and those working with designers and developers*, seeking a deeper understanding of data-driven visual solutions. 

The workshop is designed to allow group discussions and individual participation. It is ideal for people who are interested in telling stories through data.

*No formal design experience is required to attend this session. However, this workshop is directed at a professional design audience, therefore working with design professionals is an advantage.

What you need:

• Basic drawing materials (pencil, pen, etc.)
• A smart phone to snap pictures of your sketches
• Access to a video camera and video conference

Valentina D’Efilippo is an award-winning designer, author, trainer and occasional speaker. Her passion for visual communication and digital media has taken form in data visualisation, art direction, and interaction design. She has worked with a number of leading agencies contributing to award-winning campaigns for global brands and in 2013 she published The Infographic History of the World – a collection of more than 100 uniquely designed infographics.

Since 2014, Valentina has been teaching Masterclasses for the Guardian and the V&A. She has trained teams globally for clients such as Google, Pfizer, UBS, OPEC, United Nations ILO, and the NHS.