Visualizing Science
Course Description
Summary
In this class we will explore the art and practice of scientific communication. This course is inspired by the work of Edward Tufte as well as a lifetime of experience in scientific research and presentation. Our aim is to learn how to create elegant explanations of complex ideas using pictures, charts, numbers and words. We will analyze and produce displays for use in journalism, research publications and scientific presentations, as well as other art forms that inspire multifaceted understanding. We will learn by making and analyzing both good and bad examples of scientific art work, to understand why they succeed or fail to communicate clearly, efficiently and accurately. This course is intended for students interested in both science and art, who aspire to create esthetically informative visual displays.
Learning Outcomes
- Study visual displays that combine pictures, charts, numbers and words to convey scientific information.
- Analyze bad examples to see why they fail to communicate clearly, efficiently and accurately.
- Analyze good examples to see why they succeed in communicating clearly, efficiently and accurately
- Learn and implement Edward Tufte鈥檚 basic principles of critical thinking and analytical design.
- Learn how to choose a mode of visual display that is best suited to convey a particular idea.
- Learn how to combine pictures, graphs and words to clarify rather than confuse.
- Learn how to use color and tone to delight rather than irritate.