Office: TSRB 316A
Office Hours: Friday 11AM–1PM and by appointment
Email: ledantec@gatech.edu
Class Meetings: Tuesday/Thursday, 9:35–10:55AM
Location: Clough 280
Course Description
In this course we will study and explore the principles, practices and genres of contemporary information design. Specifically, this course emphasizes the design and use of computational media to organize and communicate complex data in forms such as interactive kiosks, animated visualizations, interactive maps, and large-scale displays in public space. In addition to studio-based projects, this course will include discussions of readings and projects from the fields of art, design, human-computer interaction, and science and technology studies.
Course Objectives
After taking this course you should be able to:
- Gather, analyze and abstract data for manipulation and presentation using digital media
- Create effective and compelling information design artifacts using digital media
- Contribute to the development of new genres and forms of digital media
- Create digital artifacts with an awareness of history, audience, and context
- Appreciate and evaluate future trends in the development of digital media
- Be able to work effectively in teams to accomplish a common goal
Grading
The total grade for the class will be based upon the following factors and weights:
Participation: 10%
Homeworks: 40% (10% each)
Projects: 50% (Project 1, 20%; Project 2, 30%)
Participation & Attendance
Class attendance and participation is mandatory. Participation in class discussion and in design crits are imperative because they allow you to explore content and design process collaboratively. Participation in class also challenges you to continuously question, refine, and articulate your own ideas and interpretations.
Missing more than 2 classes will result in a loss of 1 letter grade.
Please note that there are three kinds of absences that will not be counted against your participation grade provided that you provide appropriate documentation within one week of the absence:
- If you have a family emergency and provide me with a note from the proper authority.
- If you have a GT extracurricular activity and provide me with a note from your coach or advisor.
- If you have an internship or job interview and provide me with documentation from the company in question (the invitation to the interview is ideal in this case).
Readings & Texts
The following books are required for the class. Content from the books is not guaranteed to be covered during class lectures. It is your responsibility to complete the reading and to integrate the concepts into the homeworks and projects.
Books are (or should be) available at the Engineer’s Bookstore.
- Edward Tufte. Envisioning Information. ISBN 978-0961392116
- Nathan Yau. Visualize This: The FlowingData Guide to Design, Visualization, and Statistics. ISBB 978-0470944882
- Ronnie Lipton. Practical Guide to Information Design. ISBN 978-0471662952
Additional reading will be available via the class’ T-Square site.
Class Resources
Despite there being no exams drawing on this material, these are essential references for information design and will serve you for the rest of your time in school and beyond.
Christian Leborg. Visual Grammar. ISBN 978-1568985817
Ellen Lupton. Thinking with Type. Second edition. ISBN 978-1568989693
Edward Tufte. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. ISBN 978-0961392147
Edward Tufte. Visual Explanations. ISBN 978-0961392123
Richard Saul Wurman, Information Anxiety 2. ISBN 978-0789724106
We will not spend time in class learning Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, or Adobe Photoshop. If you are new to these tools, it would be prudent to invest in these books or similar resources:
Adobe Illustrator CS6 Classroom in a Book ISBN 978-0321822482
Adobe InDesign CS6 Classroom in a Book ISBN 978-0321822499
Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book ISBN 978-0321827333
Course Schedule
What follows is an outline for the semester. As the semester progresses, we may adjust dates and materials; however, unless specifically stated in class, you should assume this schedule is current and accurate.
| Week 1 |
August 20 |
First day administrivia. Homework 1 out |
|
August 22 |
What is information design? Reading: Robert Waller, “Making Connections: Typography, Layout, and Language.” Edward Tufte, Envisioning Information. ch. 1 and 2 |
|
| Week 2 |
August 27 |
Information Architecture I Reading: Edward Tufte, Envisioning Information, ch. 3. Ronnie Lipton, Practical Guide to Information Design, ch. 1. Kostelnick, R. “Supra-Textual Design: The Visual Rhetoric of Whole Documents,” Technical Communication Quarterly 5.1 (1996): 9-33. Homework 2 out |
|
August 29 |
Information Architecture II Homework 1 due |
|
| Week 3 |
September 3 |
Type and Typography I Reading: Ronnie Lipton, Practical Guide to Information Design, ch. 3 and 4. Red Labor, Know Your Type. Homework 2 due Homework 3 out |
|
September 5 |
Type and Typography II |
|
| Week 4 |
September 10 |
Visualization I Reading: Ronnie Lipton, Practical Guide to Information Design, ch. 5, 6, and 7. Homework 3 due Homework 4 out |
|
September 12 |
Visualization II |
|
| Week 5 |
September 17 |
Critique Project 1 Design Brief. Homework 4 due |
|
September 19 |
Critique |
|
| Week 6 |
September 24 |
Conference Travel, no class. |
|
September 26 |
Interactive Elements |
|
| Week 7 |
October 1 |
Critique Reading: Yau, Visualize This, introduction, chapters 1 and 2. Project 1 Drafts due |
|
October 3 |
Critique |
|
| Week 8 |
October 8 |
Project 2 Design Brief Project 1 due Reading: Yau, Visualize This, chapters 3, 4, 5. Jakob Jochmann, What Makes a Good Infographic? |
|
October 10 |
Data Sources I |
|
| Week 9 |
October 15 |
Fall break; no class. |
|
October 17 |
Data Sources II |
|
| Week 10 |
October 22 |
Critique Project 2 Data Selection & Plan due |
|
October 24 |
Information Design in Space |
|
| Week 11 |
October 29 |
Maps and Mapping I Reading: Edward Tufte, Envisioning Information. ch. 5 and 6 Project 2: Layout & Sketches due |
|
October 31 |
Maps and Mapping II |
|
| Week 12 |
November 5 |
Critique Reading: Yau, chapters 8 and 9. Project 2: Interactive Layout due |
|
November 7 |
Critique |
|
| Week 13 |
November 12 |
Inventing the Future |
|
November 14 |
In-class studio/development |
|
| Week 14 |
November 19 |
In-class studio/development |
|
November 21 |
Critique |
|
| Week 15 |
November 26 |
Thanksgiving; no class. |
|
November 28 |
Thanksgiving; no class. |
|
| Week 16 |
December 3 |
Final Presentations |
|
December 5 |
Final Presentations |
General Class Policies
It is important to keep in mind that this class focuses on the principles and processes of information design, not on technical skills; it is therefore up to you to develop and/or hone your facility with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
Students whose work meets all criteria outlined for an assignment will receive a grade of C; students whose work meets all criteria and shows additional sophistication, thoughtfulness, research and creativity will receive a grade of B; students whose work meets all criteria and goes well beyond the expected in terms of sophistication, thoughtfulness, research, and creativity will receive a grade of A; students whose work fails to meet to all criteria outlined for an assignment will receive a grade of D or F.
Two points will be deducted for all typographic, spelling, and grammatical errors in all writing assignments.
Late assignments will not be accepted. Presentations must be given on the designated day.
Lectures will not be posted. It is your responsibility to take notes and remain attentive in class.
If you have questions or concerns about this or any other course policies stated in this syllabus, class assignments, email correspondence, or announced in class, please speak with me in class, during office hours, or via email as soon as possible so that we can discuss your concerns.
Debate, Diversity, and Respect
In this class, we will present and discuss a diversity of perspectives. Although you may not always agree with others’ perspectives, you are required to be respectful of others’ values and beliefs. Repeated inappropriate or abusive comments and/or behavior will be cause for disciplinary action. If you feel that your perspectives are being ignored or slighted, or you in anyway feel uncomfortable in the classroom, please contact me immediately.
The Communication Center
The Communication Center is located in Clough Commons, Suite 447. It is an excellent resource for any student (undergraduate or graduate) who wants help with a communication-related project. You can visit the center for help at any stage of the process for any project in any discipline. The knowledgeable and friendly tutors are available to help you develop and revise your projects. They are not available to “fix” your projects. Please do not ask the tutors to proofread or edit your projects.
For information on making an appointment please visit their website. If you need assistance with the appointment system, you can call 404-385-3612 or stop by the center.
All services are free and confidential.
Students with Disabilities
Students should self-report to the Access Disabled Assistance Program for Tech Students at:
220 Student Services Building
Atlanta, GA 30332-0285
404.894.2564 (voice) or 404.894.1664 (voice/TDD)
www.adapts.gatech.edu/guidebook.html
Scholastic Dishonesty and Academic Misconduct
This class abides by the university’s policies relating to plagiarism, scholastic dishonesty, and academic misconduct. Per the Georgia Tech Code of Conduct, plagiarism is defined as:
- Unauthorized Access: Possessing, using, or exchanging improperly acquired written or verbal information in the preparation of a problem set, laboratory report, essay, examination, or other academic assignment.
- Unauthorized Collaboration: Unauthorized interaction with another Student or Students in the fulfillment of academic requirements.
- Plagiarism: Submission of material that is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another person or persons, without adequate credit notations indicating the authorship.
- False Claims of Performance: False claims for work that has been submitted by a Student.
- Grade Alteration: Alteration of any academic grade or rating so as to obtain unearned academic credit.
- Deliberate Falsification: Deliberate falsification of a written or verbal statement of fact to a Faculty member and/or Institute Official, so as to obtain unearned academic credit.
- Forgery: Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any Institute document relating to the academic status of the Student.
- Distortion: Any act that distorts or could distort grades or other academic records.