How to effectively communicate with your data
- a workshop delivered by Dan Isaac

For details about how to book a data visualisation workshop for your organisation visit the events page

The aim of this workshop is to share and discuss the key principles of effective data visualisation and to inspire you to tell better stories with your data. Creating effective data visualisations is no longer a task for highly technical specialists and design professionals. In the modern workplace, we are all responsible for the data that we produce and learning how to effectively communicate with this data can be an invaluable asset

Learning the fundamental principles behind good data visualisation can:

Simplify

Simplify the process of presenting data in tables and graphs​ to ensure that your story can be easily understood

Engage

Help those working with data to engage, captivate and influence their audience

Influence

Allow decision-makers to gain rapid insight into their data so that they can get answers more quickly

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The workshop is aimed at anyone who works with data as part of their role. From administrators, analysts and accountants to researchers, teachers and senior managers, we can all benefit from learning the theory behind creating great graphics.

Feedback from previous workshops:

​Superb course
​Very well presented, clear, engaging presentation, well-paced

Dan was very good at explaining complex information in an easy manner
​I learnt information on different uses of graphs & in what situations different graphs can be used

I learnt some great tips on how to present information simply and clearly

Learning Objectives
By the end of the workshop, delegates will be able to:

• Critically review a data visualisation and understand what makes one example more effective than another
• Understand some key psychological principles and their significance to the design of an effective data visualisation. This includes an understanding of the importance of storytelling when communicating with data
• Present data clearly within a table in order to effectively communicate a story
• Identify and utilise the key components within graphical representations of data
• Select the type of graph which best communicates the different relationships that exist within data
• Present data clearly within a selected graph type in order to effectively communicate a story.

Sample Agenda

​Session 1 09:30 

• What is data visualisation?
• Why is data visualisation important?
• Data visualisation as storytelling

Break 11:00
Session 2 11:15 

• The psychology of effective data visualisation
• The fundamental principles of data visualisation
• General principles of effective table design

Lunch 12:45

Session 3 13:30 

• Data scales and relationships
• What types of graph to use and when?
• General principles of effective graph design

Break 15:00
Session 4 15:15 

• Case study: My Design Process
• Final exercise

Close 16:30

Get in touch

Open sessions of this workshop will be hosted at the University of Exeter and can be attended by anyone - details of upcoming dates and how to purchase tickets can be found on the Events page

I also run this workshop as a 'closed' session for staff or members of any organisation that is interested.  These can either be hosted on your premises or using facilities at the University of Exeter.  If you're interested in running or hosting a workshop for your organisation then please get in touch