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

• To praktiske oppgaver

Specific conditions

Course materials

Cairo, Albert (2013). The functional art: an introduction to information graphics and visualization. Berkeley: New Riders.
Tufte, Edward R. (2001). The visual display of quantitative information. 2nd ed. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press.
SUPPORTING LITERATURE:
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-.