Course content

• History of information graphics
• Tabular and schematic representation of quantitative information
• Combining qualitative and quantitative information
• Diagrams and graphs (bar, line, area, pie, Isotype, scatter, histogram, etc.)
• Flowcharts
• Navigational diagrams
• How not to lie with statistics (lie factor)
• Cartography, topographical maps, thematic maps
• Technical illustration
• Data visualization, and "big data" as a source for information graphics.
• Designing tables
• Designing user friendly forms.

Learning outcome

The course will give the students knowledge of the history of information graphics, characteristics of information graphics in a cognitive perspective, as well as the potential of information graphics as an alternative to text-based or image-based modes of graphic representation. The course will also give the students knowledge of a wide range of genres of information graphics and their advantages and limitations as well as potential for demagogic misuse. The student will through (yet one more course with) process-oriented essay writing - based on formative evaluation - in an incremental manner have improved his/her analytical skills, his/her ability for critical reflection, his/her writing skills, his/her ability to locate, gather and synthesise information, his/her ability to critically assess sources and literature, his/her ability to cite and reference sources and literature appropriately, and his/her skills in editorial handling of text.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures
• Writing of essay(s) and/or practical visualisation project(s)
• Formative-iterative assessment
• Two compulsory assignments.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved exercises

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

The course is limited to students in the program Bachelor in Graphic Design

Course materials

Koponen, J., Hildén, J. (2019). Data Visualization handbook. Espoo: Aalto arts books. Tufte, Edward R. (2001). The visual display of quantitative information. 2nd ed. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. SUPPORTING LITERATURE: Cairo, Albert (2013). The functional art: an introduction to information graphics and visualization. Berkeley: New Riders. Bigwood, Sally, and Melissa Spore (2003). Presenting numbers, tables and charts. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Black, Alison, Paul Luna, Ole Lund, and Sue Walker (eds.) (2017). Information design: research and practice. London og New York: Routledge. Brasseur, Lee E. (2003). Visualizing technical information: a cultural critique. New York: Baywood. Burke, Christopher, Eric Kindel, and Sue Walker (eds.) (2013). Isotype: design and contexts 1925–1971. London: Hyphen Press. Cheshire, James, and Uberto, Oliver (2014): London – the information capital: 100 maps and graphics that will change how you view the city. London: Penguin. Garland, Ken (1994). Mr Beck’s underground map. London: Capital Transport. Gresh, Alain m.fl. (2007). Le Monde Diplomatique: globaliseringens atlas. Oslo: Diplo og Pax Forlag. Informasjonsgrafikk (2009) Collection of articles on information graphics.. Jarrett, Caroline, and Gerry Gaffney (2009). Forms that work: designing web forms for usability. Burlington: Morgan Kaufmann. Kristiansen, Jan Erik (2007). Tall kan temmes: om å bruke og formidle statistikk. Kristiansand: IJ-forlaget. Malamed, Connie (2009). Visual language for designers: principles for creating graphics that people understand. Beverly, Mass.: Rockport. Nygaard, Tor (2007). Skjemavett på internett. Oslo: Kommuneforlaget. Schwesinger, Borries (2010). The forms book: best practice in creating forms for printed and online use. London: Thames & Hudson. Wainer, Howard. Graphic discovery (2007). Princeton og Oxford: Princeton University Press. Wood, Denis, Ward L. Kaiser, and Bob Abramms (2006). Seeing through maps: many ways to see the world. Oxford: New Internationalist. A selection of relevant journals in NTNUs library: Cartographica, Information Design Journal, In Graphics (call number 302.23 Infodesign), Visible Language. Relevant call numbers in NTNU’s campus library: 302.23 Infodesign, 526-.

Credit reductions