DOM5048 Introduction to Visualization
The objective of this course is to provide a foundation about visualization for art and design. Though the focus is primarily on visual perception, we will also present recent developments that deal with embodiment and multimodality.
Learning outcomes: 1. Participants learn about the interrelationship between sensory perception and cognitive processes in art and design. 2. Survey of basic visualization methodologies.
Methods used: Lectures, “hands on” design exercises done in groups, presentations and discussions.
Credits: 3 ECTS
Preparation for the workshop:
1. Check out in this site,
A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods.
Please study and go over the methods depicted in this table.
2. Read this paper,
Lengler, Ralph, Eppler, Martin J. Towards A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods for Management, in Proceeding of the IASTED International Conference on Graphics and Visualization in Engineering, GVE 2007, ACTA Press, Anheim, CA, pp. 83-88. Available here.
3. Watch this video…
Principles of Gestalt
Please watch this video. Make notes if there is anything that you find remarkable that you would want to share with the group.
Schedule
21. Sept. 2015, Visual perception and cognition in art and design – Prof. Lily Díaz-Kommonen
9:00 – 12:00
A presentation of key concepts from art, anthropology, cognitive science, and psychology with the objective to understand how (visual) perception and representation have been used in art and design. Slides here.
We will also discuss the camera oscura as part of the general theme of the “rationalization of sight” (Foucault) and show this video about the Havana camera oscura installation.
Afternoon exercise
Students are organized into groups and prepare sketches to be presented in the afternoon meeting, from 15:00 – 16:00.
22 Sept. 2015, Multimodal realities – Judith van der Elst, PhD
9:00 – 12:00
Though our visual dominated world, other modal ‘things’ are not often recognized as figures, but in fact the Gestalt notion of figure-ground is equally applicable to categorize and understand the entire multimodal world of things, the smell of the rain to the touch of the screen. Gaining access to this multimodal world is crucial for opening up new realities and new directions in design to address cultural and ecological challenges we are currently facing. Slides are here.
Afternoon exercise
Students are organized into groups and prepare sketches to be presented in the afternoon meeting, from 15:00 – 16:00.
23 Sept. 2015, Visualization and knowledge, survey of methods – Prof. Lily Díaz-Kommonen
Afternoon, invited lecture,
When thinking visual, keep the brain in mind – Mamdooh Adfile
Why visual stories like movies succeed to move us emotionally? Why magic and visual illusions occur? What does that have to do with the way the brain works? If visual is the language of the brain how can we understand what it is saying back? These are some of the cuisines that we will taste in your short and upbeat 45 min talk about brain perception and brain visualization. We will end the talk with my current frontier research, combining audiovisual means and brain imaging technique.
24 Sept. 2015, Independent work – Prof. Lily Díaz-Kommonen
9:00 – 16:00, Student groups work on topic that shows visualization techniques.
Afternoon: We meet at 13:00 to discuss the progress being done by each group.
25 Sept. 2015, Final presentations in the afternoon at 13:00.
We meet at room 429. Student groups present the work(s) that they have realized. A copy will be handed to the teacher on completion.
All exercises done in the class are rendered as:
• Illustrations in A3 sheets.
• One additional A3 with the following information:
1. Name of the student(s) and a description of their roles
2. Title of work
3. How is visualization implemented:
– Description of the data.
– Description of visualization artifacts created.
– Methods used.
4. Design implications.
Evaluation
• 50% Attendance and participation
• 50% Quality of Case Study, as well as of work done throughout the workshop.
Miscellaneous
The workshop is from 9:00 – 16:00. Class begins at 9:00. You need to be on time. There will be a lunch break at 12:00 and two smaller coffee breaks throughout the day.