Welcome to INFO 424
“Information Visualization and Aesthetics”
Taught by Marilyn Ostergren(call me ‘Marilyn’)
GOAL FOR TODAY
What is ‘Information Visualization’?
What information can be visualized?
How does this class work?
What is ‘Information Visualization’?
‘ In format ion Visua l izat ion is a process that transforms data, informat ion and knowledge into a form that re l ies on the human v isual system to perceive i ts embedded informat ion. ’ - G e r s h o n a n d P a g e ( 2 0 0 1 )
Examples
Here is some information/data/knowledge:
The wind turbines that Seattle City Light owns (which supply some of the UW’s power) are 245 feet tall
The UW residence halls are some of the largest and smallestBuildings on campus
YOUR TASK:
Envision a visual display for the following information….
What are the tallest buildings in the world?
What causes snoring?
How are the various programming languages related?When were they created?
ActionScript 2.0 2003ActionScript 3.0 2006
Where do Federal tax dollars go?
…what isn’t information visualization?
Wattle
Beak
CombEar
Ear Lobe
What kinds of information lends itselfto visualization?
VISUAL POTENTIAL
WHY?
YOUR TASK:
What type of visual potential has been exploited here?
How to Create an Information Visualization(how you will learn to create information Visualizations in INFO 424)
You work for the NY Times, producing interactive graphics.
The Olympics are happening…
Technical Skills – Illustrator, Excel & Flashtools & strategies
Knowledge of design principles
Repertoire of visualization strategies
Understanding of the process
About 17 of every 200 MEN Less than 1 of every 200 WOMEN
Chances are that 2 of you are colorblind….
How does this class work?
LABS!
Grading
http://courses.washington.edu/info424
Lab instructions
Lab instructions
A word about doing the labs early….
Access to software…
LABS: 25% of grade100% Handed in by due date75% Handed in by end of quarter
FLASH QUIZES: 25% of grade1 ungraded 3 graded (full or partial credit) 10% for the last quiz, 5% each for the first 2
TAKE-HOME EXAMS: 50% of grade1 ungraded2 graded examsThese will be assigned a numeric grade.
http://flowingdata.com/
http://infosthetics.com/
http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/
What to do next:1. Decide if you want to take this class (I hope you do)
2. Start working on the labs & practice for this week (shown on the schedule page of the course website)
Optional:3. Sign up for Flowing Data, Information Is Beautiful & Infosthetics
