Topic outline

  • Information Design Studio

    The course introduces a wide variety of ways Information Design approaches, methods, and tools to achieve information design for a specific context. It covers aspects of understanding data, learning various methods of data collection, structuring data, and visualizing data to make meaning in a context. This course will introduce a wide variety of information design applications and prepare students to critically analyze and create Information Design and data visualizations.

    Teacher: Rupesh Vyas rupesh.vyas@aalto.fi

    Week 1

    07.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Setting up: Information Design Studio Course

    Lecture 1: Conceptual Information Design and Visualisation 

    13:00-16:00

    Introduction to Learning Assignment 1.1

    Maps, places & spaces

    09.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Presentation and Discussion on Assignment 1.1

    Lecture 2: Visualisation Principles and Narrative Structures in Information Design

    13:00-16:00

    Introduction to Learning Assignment 1.2

    How things work

    Open Mic, Group Work, Independent Work

    Week 2

    14.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Presentation and Discussion on Assignment 1.2

    Lecture 3: Experiential Information Design

    13:00-16:00

    Introduction to Learning Assignment 2.1

    Drawing with data

    Group Work / Independent Work

    16.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Presentation and Discussion on Assignment 2.1

    Lecture 4: Physicalization of Information

    13:00-16:00

    Introduction to Learning Assignment 2.2

    Physical viz

    Open Mic, Group Work, Independent Work

    Week3

    21.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Presentation and Discussion on Assignment 2.2

    Lecture 5: Introduction to Data Visualisation

    13:00-16:00

    Introduction to Learning Assignment 3.1

    Data Viz

    Group Work / Independent Work

    23.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Presentation and Discussion on Assignment 3.1

    Lecture 6: Tools for Data Collection and Visualisations

    13:00-16:00

    Introduction to Learning Assignment 3.2

    DataStori.es

    Introduction to Final Assignment

    Information Design Project (Design Process, Documentation, and Presentation) 

    Week 4

    28.11.2023

    09:15-12:00

    Presentation and Discussion on Assignment 3.2

    Information Design Project Tutoring

    13:00-16:00

    Independent Work

    Feedback/Tutoring

    30.11.2023

    13:00- 16:00

    Final Presentation, Discussion, Feedback 


    Learning Outcome: 

    Learn to generate and present Information for a wide variety of contexts.


    To understand the fundamentals of Information Design, data transformation, and presentation.


    Learn to create information visualization as a tool for understanding complex phenomena, and processes, and finding patterns from observation and communication.


    Learn to utilize the strength of information design as a tool for design research and creating insight into larger-scale issues considering societal impact as well as students' own interest areas. 

    Workload:

    The course consists of lectures, in-class exercises, Weekly learning assignments, and the Information Design Project, which will be presented and exhibited during the last session.

    Evaluations:

    The course consists of lectures, in-class exercises, learning assignments, a course journal, and a final Information Design Project which will be presented during the last session. The final grade is calculated based on the student’s performance in all of these areas and their overall participation in the course, in the following way:

    20% Contributions to in-class discussions and Individual/group work

    This grade is determined by the teacher based on whether the student: 

    – Attends all classes

    – Does all required in-class assignments. 

    – Demonstrates knowledge of course content. 

    – Contributes to class discussion with thoughtful questions, comments, and examples. 

    – Is attentive and participates actively in class activities. 

    – Respects, listens and supports classmates. 

    – Gives constructive feedback and takes others’ feedback into account.

    20% Course Journal/Documentation

    – Critically reflects on the course content and the student's own learnings

    – Documents inspiration, ideation, and iterative processes of the final project

    – Format is appropriate and readable

    20% Learning Assignments

    40% Main course project 

    Topic

    Identifies a focus on designing information for a specific context, community, culture/sub-culture and discusses the topic critically.

    Builds on discussions from the course.

    Research

    Includes your own research on the topic. 

    Presentation

    Presents a creative, thought-provoking exploration of the topic.

    The narrative and visual style are appropriate in conveying the information or the data.

    Effective use of information, data, visual, and text elements.

    The layout reflects course learnings about information design.

    Process

    Participates in in-class project work.

    Creates concept notes to collaborate and build ideas.

    Brings design sketches to the class for discussion. 

    Takes feedback into account