Outline

Overview

The field of information visualisation focuses on how data can be effectively represented and meaningfully communicated to people, in interactive and automated ways. The unit of study introduces the principles of information visualisation design, with special attention to aesthetic communication of data, data analytics, and user engagement. Key concepts covered in this unit include: abstract data visualisation; data acquisition; and parsing and processing of data. Using a combination of vector graphics software tools and programming languages for processing data, students will develop information visualisations of real-world datasets that are both communicative and engaging. The unit will equip students with the skills to produce static as well as web-ready interactive data visualisations.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DECO3100
Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	DECO1016 and DECO2014
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Somwrita Sarkar, somwrita.sarkar@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Tutorials and class participation Participation	10%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Static information visualisation Students submit a pdf document online.	20%	Week -03	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Exploratory Data Analysis Students submit a pdf document online	30%	Week 07	2-5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Interactive Information Visualisation Students submit programming code for an online interactive visualisation	40%	Week 13	1 Webpage
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Static Visualisation Design

Assessment description

Choose a small data set, and design a static visualisation. Write a one page summary (no more than 2-3 paragraphs) rigorously justifying your design choices. Use Excel and Adobe Illustrator to design the visualization. The visualization should be submitted as an A4 sized pdf, followed by the justification paragraphs.

Assessment 2: Exploratory Data Analysis

Assessment description

A primary aim of data visualisation is to answer questions from the data, and to negate or confirm any hypotheses from the data. Exploratory data analysis helps in visual, non-statistical, non-computational, non-mathematical ways to enable this aim. In this assessment, you will choose a data set and you will pose a particular question, analyse the data using the exploratory analysis methods covered in the tutorials and studios. You will then generate a final visualization, that brings out the affirmation or the negation of your hypothesis, based on your data analysis.

Assessment 3: Interactive visualisation Design

Assessment description

In this assessment, you will use web techniques taught in class to design an interactive visualisation. What interactions, transitions or animations have you designed that allow you to address specific design intentions: for example, (a) encode layers of data, (b) draw attention to proper places, or the principle of overview, zoom, filter, details on demand. Have a solid rationale and reasoning for incorporating specific interactions.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Context, why, how of information visualisation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 1	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	Effective visual communication and storytelling 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 2	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	Effective visual communication and storytelling 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 3	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	Data and visual encoding principles	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 4	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 4	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	Exploratory data analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 5	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 5	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	The big list of 20 big no-nos in Info Vis	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 6	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 6	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	Principles of interaction	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 7	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 7	Studio (3 hr)
Week 08	Principles of animation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 8	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 8	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	More complex info vis: multidimensional data, networks and geographic visualisation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 9	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 9	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	Guest lecture 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 10	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 10	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	Guest lecture 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 11	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 11	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	Guest lecture 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 12	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Studio 12	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The School’s requirement of 90% in person attendance is waived. Participation in this unit is required via online components.”

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Knaflic, C.N. (2015). Storytelling with Data, Wiley.
Murray, S. (2017) Interactive Data Visualisation for the Web, 2nd Edition, O’Reilly.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. design and format all parts of a visualisation
LO2. develop an information visualisation prototype using real-world datasets, using existing visual graph/chart types, and the ability to develop new visual representations based on data
LO3. provide justification and design rationale for all aspects of a visualisation
LO4. demonstrate analytical skills on basic statistical and mathematical concepts for exploratory and explanatory data analysis and visualisation
LO5. demonstrate programming skills, technical skills on tools and programming languages required to successfully produce final publication standard infovis.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The technical parts of the unit that the students found challenging have been made more detailed and development occurs at a pace suitable to the learning rate of design students.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

DECO3100: Information Visualisation Design Studio

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect