Principles of Data Visualization

Requirements:

• None

Course overview:

Graphics are an essential part of any publication. Good graphics can improve the understanding, credibility and make an impact. In this seminar, we will discuss the importance of data visualizations and key considerations for their construction and interpretation.

Please consider this seminar was part of the “Data Visualization Workshop” in 2022 & 2023.

Topics:

Data visualization allows us to represent and understand information in a fast and intuitive manner. What makes great charts great? And what makes bad charts bad, or even sometimes misleading? It is easy to view charts as factual and impartial, but every chart tells a story and highlights different aspects of the underlying data. Through a series of real-life examples, we will discuss the importance of clear and deliberate data visualization, which ingredients we need to combine to create clear and precise visualizations, and learn how communicate as clearly through our charts as in our writing.

Methods:

• The seminar is intended to give an overview on different aspects of data visualization. The participants are invited to bring their own graphs, or graphs from the literature to discuss them during the class.

Format:

• Duration: 3.5 hours
• Language: English
• This course will be offered either on campus (in person), or online.
• For online courses we use the software Zoom.

Dates and Application:

• Workshops provided for Helmholtz Munich:
  • In 2024 the workshops will be offered two times in cooperation with the graduate school HELENA.
  • You can check the current dates and whether the courses are already fully booked here*.
  • Please read the corresponding FAQ* before applying via the forms of CaMS*.

 * Links marked with * are only available for Helmholtz Munich staff.