The Art of Data Visualization | Off Book | PBS Digital Studios

Humans have a powerful capacity to process visual information, skills that date far back in our evolutionary lineage. And since the advent of science, we have employed intricate visual strategies to communicate data, often utilizing design principles that draw on these basic cognitive skills. In a modern world where we have far more data than we can process, the practice of data visualization has gained even more importance. From scientific visualization to pop infographics, designers are increasingly tasked with incorporating data into the media experience. Data has emerged as such a critical part of modern life that it has entered into the realm of art, where data-driven visual experiences challenge viewers to find personal meaning from a sea of information, a task that is increasingly present in every aspect of our information-infused lives.

Featuring:
Edward Tufte, Yale University
Julie Steele, O'Reilly Media
Josh Smith, Hyperakt
Jer Thorp, Office for Creative Research

Office of Creative Research:
"Gate Change" by Ben Rubin w/ Mark Hansen & Jer Thorp
"And That's The Way It Is" by Ben Rubin w/ Mark Hansen & Jer Thorp
"Shakespeare Machine" by Ben Rubin w/ Mark Hansen & Jer Thorp
"Moveable Type" by Ben Rubin & Mark Hansen
"Listening Post" by Ben Rubin & Mark Hansen

Sources:

Music:
"Tomie's Bubbles" by Candlegravity

More Off Book:

The Future of Wearable Technology

Is Photoshop Remixing the World?

Can Hackers be Heroes?

The Rise of Webcomics

Will 3D Printing Change The World?

Follow Off Book:
Twitter: @pbsoffbook

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In a world were with so much data where processing has become so complex, visualization has really become an important tool not only to convey ideas and make sense of it, but to generate more ideas out of the process. I remember Hans Rosling's lecture on The Joy of Stats. Oh! And also, great job as always, Off Book's crowd!

[schneeekind]

thank you for the off books series! love every episode!

[MirageMiM]

This is an awesome series! Thanks Kornhaber Brown! I want to learn your ways

[PogieJoe]

Such an underrated craft. I am in awe. :D

[SQLUSA]

What I find real amazing and fantastic visualization is tracking an airliner in real-time.

[rickrizzle]

Julie Steele broke that down TOO EASY! Very eloquently put!!

[Tyveris]

This episode of PBS Off Book had a unique feel compared to many of the previous episodes. Perhaps there was some intent previously to flood the user with information in a hope that something would stick or perhaps the addressing of a visual media data presentation technique encouraged the producers and editor to change the way they think about and present the information they want to communicate. Regardless I found it much more informative and I hope to see this style continue in the future.

[hekimanash]

Back in focus. Thankyou for the videos. Kima.

[zaheenalam]

Awesome visualization with meaningful interpretation !

[marsmagadan]

Good job, guys! Very interesting and informative. 

[datavizgeek]

Edward Tufte, the first guy interviewed here is a true pioneer in information design. You can check out his site (google him)-- and he even does one day seminars. I took one a couple years ago. It was well worth it.

[jiwonkim]

The new york times’ storytelling works using data were mindblowing. Revelation of new perceptions is def the key point of any good data visualization.

[TeresaMaxwellUSC]

I expected to see more about the trend of infographics. Very interesting episode - thx!

[stevie]

It's too bad the music is louder than the dialogue as it makes it hard to understand the content. People who are hearing impaired want to benefit from the content, too.

[TenguBird]

I love that editor's face at the end of every PBS video.

[XiDiZE]

Beautiful music at 7:17... any ideas where I can find some information about it?

[monnywonk]

A great video, but a version without the distracting music and sounds would be better.

[johnadriandodge]

Shalom and howdy how. Good stuff ! Thank you for sharing!

[MrImaddah]

very nice i like the drawing and the basic info it remind me of my list about ML without code

[DonGateley]

And then, of course, there is virtual reality data visualization. That could become the most important of its uses when display resolution becomes sufficient, which it has not yet begun even to approach.