Turning research data into powerful visuals

Graphs are an excellent way to share your research data with your audience. But it's also hard: which graph type works best in which situation - and why? What color scheme should you use to strengthen your message? What are some common pitfalls to avoid? How can you add the perfect title, labels, legend and caption? How do you move beyond a boring pie or bar chart? In this workshop, we see how basic design and communication principles help you decide which graph type is best for you, which out-of-the-box graph types might grab the attention of your audience, and how you should style them so your message is loud and clear. We'll have a look at (mostly free) online and offline tools to create beautiful, clear and accurate graphs that go far beyond the default Excel visuals. Make the graphs in your next presentation, article or poster stand out!

By the end of this workshop you will have covered 4 themes:

1.  An introduction to data visualization
2. Graphical representation of data
3. Design and production of data visualization
4. Visualization of scientific research

Day 1:

• An introduction to data visualization
• Properties of good data visuals 
• Tools to create data visuals (static) and choosing the right chart type

Day 2: 

• Feedback on homework assignment and tools to create data visuals (interactive)
• Using colour and text in data visuals and selected use cases for scientists (visualizing uncertainty, maps, qualitative charts)

​For this course, particpants will be asked to work on an intermediate assignment (approx. 1 à 2 hrs.) after course day 1.

Course dates and location:

​Teacher:

Koen Van den Eeckhout (Baryon design)

Language of the course:

English

Docop-points:

1,2 points

Registration:

Via Sisa Self Service. Log in with your student account. Registration is possible as from 8 January 2025 and after you've been (re-)enrolled as a PhD student for 2024-2025.

​