The ability to visually communicate statistics to a broad audience is an increasingly important skill for many people working in data-driven environments. Yet this skill is all too often overlooked on academic curricula.

This introductory course provides the background context, essential theory and practical guidance needed to develop confidence in the effective use of data visualisation.
 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, attendees will have gained:

• Proficiency in data visualisation design

• Awareness of various visualisation methods and when/why to use them

• Practical experience of applying visualisation concepts
   

Topics Covered

Day one of the course will cover the history and purpose of data visualisation, the audience, visual perception, colour, handling and describing data, statistical relationships in data (identifying and prioritising), chart types and their uses – the visual vocabulary.

Day two will examine visualisations, titles, annotations, copy, platforms (print/online/social media), tools, animation, interactivity, specific challenges -- e.g. showing uncertainty and volatility, and putting it all together -- practical exercises.
 

Target Audience

This course would be helpful to a broad range of professionals who need to communicate statistical information to a wide audience -- including researchers, analysts, journalists and marketing and communications professionals.
 

Delegate Feedback

"This is best training course I have been on (during the last 30 years - the length of my memory). It met all my objectives and I have already applied some of the skills learnt."

"It was a very well balanced course. The tutor is clearly an authority in this subject matter and was a very engaging communicator."

"Alan was a wonderful presenter, very engaging and knowledgeable and the takeaway information has been comprehensive. I am looking forward to using these new skills in my own work and developing my skills and knowledge further."

Alan Smith OBE

Alan Smith is Data Visualisation Editor at the Financial Times, working with the graphics, interactive and statistics teams to breathe new life into how data is presented online and in print. Alan recently joined the FT from the Office for National Statistics where he was Head of Digital Content and previously created ONS' own Data Visualisation Centre.