Numbers always have a story to tell. The key is knowing which story to tell and how to tell it.
Numeric information is often best communicated visually, but creating tables and charts can be intimidating. Even when you know how to use the software (for example, Excel, Google Charts or Tableau), you might not know how to create data visuals that are easy to read and understand, have an obvious story to tell, serve the needs of your reader and support your objectives.
Often, we create visuals that are cluttered, confusing and sometimes even misleading. The world is full of bad tables, charts and data visualizations, but we can fix that. This course will provide practical guidance on how to design tables and charts that turn confusing data into useful and compelling visualizations.
Each week you will complete readings and exercises and apply what you are learning to your work in the real world, both at work and in your personal projects. In the real-time virtual classes, you will review the lessons, apply the learning, and preview the upcoming week.
This course is for anyone who works with data but has never been taught how to effectively communicate numbers. Researchers, writers, editors, journalists, designers, business professionals and students can all benefit from this course.
There is no required textbook for this course, but it has been developed from the work of Sally Bigwood and Melissa Spore. You will be encouraged to read their book Designer’s Guide to Presenting Numbers, Figures, and Charts (2013, Allworth Press).
Course outline
Week 1: Fundamentals: writing about numbers, considering your audience
Week 2: Design considerations: choosing the best visualization, designing better tables and graphs
Week 3: Storytelling with data: uncovering the story behind your numbers, making numbers relevant and memorable
How am I assessed?
This course is marked complete/incomplete and is based on your attendance and participation. Your instructor will provide feedback during real-time online classes.
Expected effort
Expect to spend 1 to 2 hours per week completing readings and exercises, as well as another 2 hours participating in the real-time online classes.
Technology requirements
To take this course, you’ll need access to:
- an email account
- a computer, laptop or tablet under five years old using Windows or macOS
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection
- a video camera and microphone
Participants should have a general understanding of how to use some form software to create tables and charts and have access to that software to complete the assignments for this course.
One day before the start of your course, we will email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online. Course work is done independently, and instructor supported during real-time virtual classes. Log in to your class at scheduled times and participate by video conferencing.