The workshop will cover the theoretical aspects of the information design workflow (from raw data to visual analytics) as well as the implementation aspects of analyzing and presenting information with R and Processing.

Students will be divided in groups of 4-5 people. Each group will work on a project to be delivered by the end of the workshop. Projects will be presented in the form of raw data sets. Students will be asked to explore the data and to design the display of information extracted from the data.

The workshop will focus on two aspects:

• The information design workflow: how to get from raw data to visualization

• The implementation of infovis: how to use Processing and other tools

By the end of the workshop, a website will showcase the designs developed. One page per design will describe the what, whom to, how, and why of each project.

Below is a preliminary schedule of the workshop:

Day 1
• The information design workflow
• The tools available, in particular Processing
• Example: Visualizing ZIP Codes (from Ben Fry’s Visualizing Data)
• Presentation of the data sets, division in groups, assignment of projects

Day 2
• Information Design: What? Whom to? How? Why?
• Produce information sketches and design statement
• Class discussion
• Within groups: finalization of sketches and statement, roles and tasks

Day 3
• Hands-on implementation
• By the end of the day, we should have a working prototype

Day 4
• Hands-on implementation
• By the end of the day, we should have a final visualization

Day 5
• Presentation and class discussion
• Final refinements
• Produce text, images, downloadables to include in workshop website
• Final discussion