Syllabus

Parsons The New School for Design
School of Art, Media and Technology
PSAM 2120
Fall 2014
Mondays 7:00pm
Arnhold Hall 55 W13th, Room 422

Justin Bakse
baksej@newschool.edu

Course Description

Data is available today at an unprecedented scale, but data itself is not valuable if it can not be understood. To be useful, data needs to be represented in a way that facilitates the clear communication of information. Designers can address this need by creating compelling, informative, and persuasive data visualizations.

Creating projects that depend heavily on data can involve unique challenges. How do you represent thousands, or millions, of pieces of data accurately and practically? How do you a make a project that stays up to date with the latest data? How do you address a diverse audience, in which each member may be interested in different aspects of the data?

Computer programming is an essential tool for many designers facing these challenges. Working with code allows designers to execute projects that would be too complex, tedious, or error prone otherwise.

In this course you will explore a variety of public data sources; build on your existing programming knowledge with techniques specific to data visualization; program custom tools for collecting, generating, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data; and create print-media and digital projects that use data to support a message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to program to take this class?

Yes. The class explores computer programming as a tool for designing and creating data visualizations. You should have experience using programming as part of a creative, visual project.

What programming language should I know?

Processing 2. Technical lectures, examples, and exercises will primarily use Processing. Longer form assignments will be appropriate for Processing, but choice of language will be up to you.

What about HTML and Javascript?

Last semester we used Javascript and D3 heavily. This semester I will show D3 but the assignments have been changed to avoid requiring it. If you are very comfortable with HTML and Javascript you may use them for the major assignments.

What if I haven’t programmed very much?

Talk to me today.

Is this class hard?

Yes.

Class Format

Most of our time in class will be spent on technical or conceptual lectures, project critiques, and class discussion. We will occasionally have time in class to work, but expect to complete most of your work between classes.

This is portfolio development class. Rather than focusing on learning specific technical skills or techniques, assignments will present thematic prompts. You are encouraged to respond to these prompts in the context of your own interests and strengths. In doing so, I hope each of you creates work you are personally invested in.

Learning Outcomes

Through this course, students should:

  • Improve their skills in designing data visualizations
  • Learn to use technology to work with small and large data sets
  • Be exposed to a variety of examples of data visualization designs and designers

  • Develop projects that demonstrate their ability to design informative data-driven work.

  • Develop their communication and critique skills

  • Advance skills in planning, proposing, and executing more complex projects

Grading

  • 30% Short-term Projects
  • 60% Log-term Projects
  • 10% Engagement/Participation

Short-term assignments will be graded as pass/fail.

  • Fail 0 – Missing, late, or incomplete work
  • Pass 4 – Complete work that meets or exceeds requirements

Long-term assignments will be graded using the following rough guide. Please note that work that merely meets all stated requirements is considered “C” work. This is because all assignments are designed to allow (and require) further, self directed exploration. Higher grades are reserved for work that demonstrates substantial effort and achievement in both technical skills and conceptual development. You are encouraged to think of assignments as starting points, and to build on top of them. Your participation grade is based on class discussions and critiques.

  • F 0 – Did Not Turn In (Fail)
  • D 1 – Incomplete
  • C 2 – Complete, Average Work
  • B 3 – Good Creative/Technical Exploration
  • A 4 – Very Good Creative/Technical Exploration

Class Blog

This blog will serve as an online space for this class. Each of you will have an account, and you will post your assignments (or documentation of your assignments when appropriate) here.

You must post all of your assignments and work to the blog. Your work should be posted before the start of class on the day it is due.

Office Hours

By appointment. Email to arrange.

Textbook and Materials

USB Flash Drive

You need to have a reliable way to store and transport the work you create in this class. A USB Flash drive is excellent for this. You should also make sure you store an up-to-date version of your work in multiple places at all times (e.g. on your flash drive, on your own computer, on Dropbox, on a back up drive). You are responsible for storing your work safely so that it will not be lost for any reason, including corrupt or lost media. You are also responsible for making sure your work is available at class every week, regardless of network issues.

Required Texts

Readings will be assigned and discussed in class. Readings from books will be announced ahead of time to give you an opportunity to plan. Purchasing texts is not required if you have other access to the material.

Attendance

We only meet once per week, and we have a lot of material to cover so attendance is important. I will be strictly abiding by the New School attendance policy. You are allowed 2 absences. Any more for any reason and you will be dropped from the class. Two late arrivals or early departures will count as one absence. Coming back late from class breaks counts as arriving late. Browsing websites not related to class work during class will count as an absence for that day.

Laptop Policy

We will spend a good amount of class time working together on coding projects. During work time, computers will be used. During a lecture, discussion, or critique, laptops must be closed. Note-taking can be done on paper.

Academic Honesty, Plagiarism, and Open-Source

All projects are to be completed by you individually; there are no group assignments. You are encouraged to help each other, but unless otherwise specified you must turn in your own work.

You are encouraged to make use of libraries and tools that will help you create your work, but for all assignments you must clearly list any libraries or code your project depends on.

All visual material appearing in your work must be original. Exceptions may be made when required by the nature of your project. Such exceptions must be approved in advance by me.

Student Disability Services

In keeping with the University’s policy of providing equal access for students with disabilities, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations is welcome to meet with me privately. All conversations will be kept confidential. Students requesting any accommodations will also need to meet with Jason Luchs in the office of Student Disability Services, who will conduct an intake, and if appropriate, provide an academic accommodation notification letter to you to bring to me. At that point I will review the letter with you and discuss these accommodations in relation to this course. Mr. Luchs’ office is located in 79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor. His direct line is (212) 229-5626 x3135. You may also access more information through the University’s web site at http://www.newschool.edu/studentservices/disability/.