Course 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. After freelancing for a couple of years, he joined New Scientist magazine and was graphics editor there for 20 years. As his freelance work and clients were taking up all his free time, he left New Scientist and started his own business 4 years ago. His many clients range from Scientific American and private clients in the US to the BBC, Guardian, NHS, IPCC, and EMCDDA (EU Drug dependency agency) as well as training workshops throughout Europe and Singapore.
This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme
Cancellation policy: Full refund if cancelled 21 days or more from the course date. No refund if cancelled 20 days or fewer from the course date.