Requirements

This class has no official pre-requisites.

You need to have graduate standing - we expect a certain level of intellectual maturity.

Importantly, you need to be willing to learn about visualization design by reading, discussing/writing, and trying small exercises. (see What Is This Class and Why?).

Attendance is part of class. This class involves in-class experiences. This requires students to be in class - if you are not in class for the in-class experience, you won’t have the in-class experience. If you know that you will miss a lot of classes, or do not intend to come to class “nearly all of the time”, please do not take the class.

This class requires you to show up (physically and intellectually). If you know that you cannot (for example, if you know you will be traveling extensively to interview), you should not take this class.

We ask that student bring drawing supplies (colored pens/pencils) to class to do in-class exercises.

There are no “computational or mathematical” pre-requisites. The class is meant so that someone should be able to survive without programming.

I will try to make the class “programming optional” - but most students choose to do some programming (to make visualizations and/or prepare data). You may use whatever languages/tools you want (subject to some ground rules).

Some assignments may ask you to learn to use some end-user visualization tools.

Materials and Supplies

You are not required to purchase any textbooks. We will provide all readings in digital form (including the textbooks). That said, if you want to support the authors, please buy (some of) the books. See the Books page.

You are required to bring “art supplies” to class. We intend to provide paper, but you are required to bring drawing implements. It’s best to have at least 4 colors of pens/pencils/magic markers/crayons.