After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

• apply concepts in the field of visualization and cognition
• critically evaluate visualization concepts
• critically evaluate the quality of visual representations, interaction techniques, analytical methods and their interplay
• apply cognitive basics and other visualization basics to information visualization design
• select visualization methods suitable for different data types
• design information visualizations with the "human-centered design" method
• apply quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods to assess the quality of information visualizations

Information visualization is "the use of computer-supported, interactive, visual representations of abstract data to amplify cognition". Students should be able to explain and apply the concepts and techniques of information visualization. A short general introduction to visualization is followed by a discussion on knowledge crystallization and the information visualization reference model. Afterwards, appropriate visualization methods for different data types and important interaction methods such as focus+context or linking-brushing will be discussed. Furthermore, suitable measures for quality assurance and evaluation of information visualizations will be taught.

The content of the lecture will be provided via TUWEL in form of video links, slides, papers and other reading material. This material will be available one week before the discussion session. In this discussion sessions, we will focus on specific important aspects about the topic. Some questions to check if students understood the concepts are possible, as well as small practical exercises within a lecture. TUWEL online exam at the end of the semster.

• Lectures about concepts, methods, and techniques
• Providing references to primary and advanced literature
• Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of concepts, techniques, and scientific literature
• Connecting with examples of applications
• According to given problems, suitable problem analysis methodologies in the field of information visualization are discussed.
• Different data types and their different characteristics will be discussed and how effective information visualizations have to look like which are suitable to support the analysis of such data.
• Suitable measures for quality assurance and evaluation of information visualizations are explained.

ECTS Breakdown (3 ECTS = 75 hours)

Hours Purpose
20,0 Lecture time
28,0 Readings
25,0 Preparation time for exam
2,0 Exam
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75

In a online multiple choice test at the end of the semester, students must

• be able to distinguish true and false statements about the learned concepts
• identify suitable visualization methods for given problems

Registration for this course is necessary in TISS. 

Registration and deregistration are possible until the "Nachfrist" of the winter term 2023. 

+ Information Design and Visualization