The Week in Vis: Week 04

in Weeks in Vis

This week, we’ll learn about encodings the way we map data to things we see. Encodings give the basics building blocks that we build visualizations from. The key idea is that rather than thinking about chart types, we think about them in terms of building blocks. That way we don’t need to learn zillions of chart types… we learn a few basic building blocks that we can assemble into charts as needed. An advantage to this approach: it lets us reason about why we might make certain choices.

I’ve changed the way I am doing the calendar to include a reminder of what was at the end of “last week” (which might be this week when you are reading it). It’s a reminder that you can (and should) stay engaged in last week’s discussions!

Remainders from last Friday (9/20): Discussion 03, Seek and Find 03, Design Exercise 03

This week has the standard fare. In class, we will have in-class exercises both days. On Monday, most of class will be an exercise (and an experiment to see if we can work in larger groups in a standard lecture hall). On Wednesday, it will be a lecture, mixing in some in-class experience elements to have less monologue.

We are shifting the content surveys later in the week. There is no class survey this week.

The design exercise for this week has you actually making visualizations. Hopefully you are trying Tableau. There is a discussion thread on Canvas (not much there yet - but please do post tips and/or questions). Canvas isn’t great for this, but it’s what we have.

There are the usual discussion and seek and find. Remember, these stay open for a week after the deadline so that you can discuss with others in your group.

Looking ahead a little… The following week will be weird. The readings will be about implementation - and they will include watching a “guest lecture video”. In class, Monday (9/30) we will have a guest lecture (and an in-class exercise) and Wednesday (10/2) Cat will lead an in-class exercise related to encodings. I will be out of town. (I ask you to tell us when you’ll be out of town, so I feel like I should reciprocate).