If a picture is worth a thousand words, a good infographic is worth a thousand pages – particularly during a time in which the language of elections and pandemics is data.

In this in-depth, two-part workshop with award-winning information designer Valentina D’Efilippo, you will learn how to speak the essential language of data visualisation, discovering how data is visualised for greatest impact.

Mixing theoretical instruction with exercises in sketching and storyboarding, this two-part workshop will cover visual storytelling, data literacy, and cognitive maps as a tool to encode and decode data.

No experience or software is required to attend this masterclass, but you will need some materials to draw with (paper, coloured pencils and pens, if you have them).

All participants will receive a digital handout after the workshop with reading materials and an overview of digital tools.

Course Content

Introduction to the history and principles of data visualisation
The core principles of visual storytelling with data
The anatomy of an infographic
Sketching as a rapid prototyping tool
The process of encoding and decoding in practice
Understanding different charts
Maximising design for best impact, understanding and memorability
An overview of digital tools
Group discussion of visual outcomes

This course is for ...

Beginners to data visualisation and infographics who want to develop a foundational understanding to apply to their own projects
Anyone interested in learning about storytelling with data through hands-on exercises

Tutor Profile

Valentina D’Efilippo is a graphic designer with a special interest in information design. After studying industrial design in Italy, she moved to London and gained a postgraduate degree in graphic design at the London College of Communication. She has worked with a number of leading agencies contributing to award-winning campaigns for global brands. In 2013 she published The Infographic History of the World.

Course Details

Date: Monday 17 April 2023 – Tuesday 18 April 2023
Time: 3pm-6pm (BST)

3pm BST | 4pm CEST | 7am PST | 10am EST

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link.

We aim to make Guardian Masterclasses accessible to all. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

Visual storytelling with data: A two-part infographic bootcamp