Telling stories with data: Introduction to hand-drawn data visualisation

Learn how to use data in an artistic and inventive way through hand-drawing with designer Stefanie Posavec.

Whether you’re looking for an innovative way of storytelling or are simply interested in trying something new and creative, this masterclass with designer Stefanie Posavec will enable you to consider data visualisation from an artful, drawing-led perspective.

Stefanie recently completed Dear Data, a year-long drawing project, in collaboration with designer Giorgia Lupi. Over the fifty-two weeks, each collected data about their lives, before translating this information into a hand-drawn visualisation on a postcard and sending it to the other.

Stefanie will offer insight into the design principles integral to creating a successful visualisation, regardless of its function. She will guide you through the process, from data analysis to the design and implementation of your custom visualisation method.

The emphasis is on hand-drawing and the entire workshop will be off-screen, using nothing more than basic drawing materials, which will be provided. No prior coding, design or data skills are required.

Course content

• What is data?
  
• Why is data visualisation important?
  
• Introduction to data analysis
  
• Finding the focus of your data
  
• The data visualisation process through the lens of drawing
  
• Choosing the architecture of your data visualisation
  
• The anatomy of a data visualisation
  

Tutor profile

Stefanie Posavec is a designer whose favoured material is data. Her projects include data visualisation, information design and commissioned data art. She recently completed Dear Data, a year-long drawing project, in collaboration with designer Giorgia Lupi. Over the fifty-two weeks, each collected data about their lives, before translating this information into a hand-drawn visualisation on a postcard and sending it to the other. This project was honoured by a nomination for the Design Museum's 'Designs of the Year 2016' award and is now held in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York. Stefanie’s work has been exhibited internationally at major galleries, including MoMA, the Science Gallery in Dublin and the V&A, the Science Museum, Southbank Centre and Somerset House in London. In 2013, she was Facebook's first data-artist-in-residence at the company’s Menlo Park campus.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website