→ Course description
How can data be interpreted and designed to create stories? In this course, students will learn how to use data to design visual narratives. They will be guided through the process of identifying and exploring topics of personal interest related to data design. By collecting, organizing, interpreting, and visualizing data, students will learn how to build and curate their own database and distilled compelling concept and stories from it.

This course covers both self-collected and open-sourced data, including subjective and objective data. It also emphasizes the use of various visual presentation tools. Learning how to choose the right materials and mediums is crucial for storytelling. Through this course, students will develop skills in data-driven storytelling, using data to tell personal stories, raise awareness or make them valuable assests in any field where data plays a key role in decision making and communication. This will enable them to communicate complex information in an engaging way.
→ Course Goals/ Objectives

Exploring a series of visual approaches to form raw data into visual narratives—in digital and physical outcomes, online or offline.

Developing methods to access appropriate tools and materials to use data and metadata to reveal and communicate their possible stories.

Constructing intentional and meaningful communication through observation, iteration, and experimentation.

Completing the full process of designing with data: researching a source, navigating specific data, understanding which methods and media best suit your intended effect, and sequencing narrative development.

→ Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. If you are unable to attend a class, kindly inform us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. A student who arrives an hour past the beginning of class will be deemed absent. Please be respectful of your classmate's time. The official attendance policy is outlined as follows:

2 unexcused absences → reduction in letter grade
3 partial absences → considered as 1 unexcused absence
3 unexcused absences → result in course failure

→ Participation
Active participation is essential and contributes to 20% of your final grade. This includes:

- Engaging in thoughtful critiques.
- Participating in class reading discussions
- Arriving to class on time
- Respecting and encouraging your classmates
- Utmost focus during crits and lectures

The assessment of in-class participation will vary for each student based on their comfort level in a university setting. Students are expected to arrive prepared for every class. The course will provide research prompts to encourage exploration of topics that resonate with students' personal interests.

→ Assessment
All assignments must be submitted on time and be ready for critique at the scheduled times.
Late submissions will be subject to a one-letter grade reduction before being evaluated. Students are welcome to redo an assignment, but please speak to us before doing so. It is recommended that you keep all of your work for the entire semester, as you may be asked to submit everything at the end of the semester for re-evaluation. The final project is the major individual assignment and is due on the last day of Wintersession (Class 12) as a live demonstration.

60% Projects
20% Workshops
20% Particpation+
Attendance
100% TOTAL

A -- Exceptional quality work. Strong design process, excellent research, frequent participation in critiques and discussions.
B -- Solid, well-done work. Actively engaged in weekly sessions; puts noticeable effort into completing assignments.

C -- Does average work. Frequently late; minimal effort invested in assignments; little or no class participation.
D -- Limited effort. Multiple unexcused absences; insufficient effort in completing assignments; lack of focus during weekly meetings.
F -- Course Failure. Excessive unexcused absences; disruptive behavior during weekly meetings; failure to submit assignments without prior notice.

→ Materials
We will be working with analog and digital materials. For digital materials, While having access to a digital imaging device (like a mobile phone, digital camera, scanner app, etc.) is preferred, it's not mandatory. You will also need a laptop (either Mac or PC), and Adobe Creative Suite. If you lack access to any of these tools, please inform us promptly so that we can assist in finding a solution.

Please also remember to back up your work! We recommend using Google Drive, Dropbox, or an external SSD to store all of your working files.

→ Diversity and Inclusive Statement
RISD is a diverse, international community, and approaches work from a range of different cultural, educational, and evaluative frameworks. Please be aware and respectful of each other’s different frames of reference. We're dedicated to an inclusive course that respects, embraces and celebrates the myriad identities that each student brings into the classroom. From gender, race, age, abilities, and socioeconomic status, to cultural and personal backgrounds. Our materials aim to reflect diverse voices, and we encourage a culture of mutual respect. We recognize and value the strength and richness that diversity contributes to our collective learning journey.

If you are a student that may require accommodations to complete the requirements of this class, We encourage you to discuss your learning needs with us during the first week of the term.
Once an approval letter from the Office of Disability Support Services is submitted, accommodations will be provided. For more information on how to receive accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services.

Your suggestions about how to improve the value of diversity in this course are encouraged and appreciated. Please let us know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups. See also: RISD’s non-discrimination policies on titleix.risd.edu