Introduction to Data Visualization and Presentation Techniques is a one-day workshop that was originally held in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2013. The next workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 19th. This workshop provides a well-rounded overview of the field of data visualization and the tools and strategies you need to create better graphic visualizations. The instructor, Jonathan Schwabish (About), has a PhD in Economics and has been creating and teaching data visualization techniques for the past several years.

Data visualization–the study of the visual representation of data–plays a crucial role in the work and analysis in the nation’s capitol. From government agencies to think tanks to universities to the private sector, data analysis takes place in all corners of Washington, D.C. Yet, oftentimes, visualizing the results takes a back seat to the analysis, which ultimately limits the effective relay of information.

Not only is data visualization important to policy analysis, but how you present your work to an audience is also critical to good communication. This workshop will not only help you understand how to better visualize your data, but I will also provide you with tools and resources on how to develop improved presentation skills.

The workshop will not provide in-depth training into any single program or tool. You should not expect to end the day as an expert in interactive programming languages or in cartography. Instead, you will have knowledge about best practices in data visualization and where to find the best tools and resources to accomplish your goals. You will also be able to communicate with me after the workshop as you work on different projects and face different challenges.

Objective
There are three main goals of the workshop:

1. To provide you with an introduction to the field of data visualization, best practices and strategies to make quality visualizations.
2. To provide you with a specific introductory lesson on how to make better, more complex chart using Excel, and to become more familiar with other visualization tools such as R, Processing, d3, Tableau, and Adobe Illustrator.
3. To demonstrate more effective techniques to present your analysis and your results when you speak in front of an audience.

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to use standard tools to make better graphics than you thought possible. You will be armed with knowledge about which types of graphics can deliver clearer visualizations of data and which approaches lead to faulty or biased perceptions. You will be ready to present your work to an audience that is better than most policy, budget, and economic analysts.

Topics

• Overview of the data visualization design process
• Identify the purpose of the visualization
• Learn how to tell a story through visualization
• Review data visualization best practices
• Introduction and tutorial to various data visualization tools
• How to think critically about visualization design
• One-on-one meetings and consultations to discuss your own visualization work and challenges
• Learn to use and identify better methods to present your analysis to an audience
• Be familiar with other common data visualization tools including Excel, R, Processing, d3, and Adobe Illustrator

Here is a sample agenda: Policyviz Workshop Agenda

Who should attend?
The workshop is designed for people primarily engaged with data and communicating their data, findings, and analysis. Much of the discussion will focus on visualizations and research concerned with policy analysis, especially as it relates to public policy, budget policy, and economics; of course, the discussion and the tools you will learn extends to all kinds of analytic work.

You might be an analyst in a small or large federal government agency, think tank, university, or private firm. You might use either small data sets with few observations or large, complex data sets. The key is that you have a desire to improve how they visualize their data and analysis using best visualization practices.

Presenter
Jonathan Schwabish, PhD (see the About page).

Schedule
There will be 3 to 4 one-day workshops available in 2013. The first workshop was held on Monday, April 1, 2013 from 9a to 5p. The second workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Cost
The cost for the workshop is $300 per person, payable by check or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).

Registration
To register by check:
Payable to: Sabre Systems, Inc.
Mail to: Sabre Systems, Inc.
ATTN: Paul Korkemaz
2331 Mill Road, Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314

To register by credit card (Master Card or Visa only):
Contact Paul Korkemaz at (703) 251-3233

If you have other questions, please contact Paul Korkemaz at (703) 251-3233 or at PKorkemaz@sabresystems.com

Location
Sabre Systems, Alexandria office, 2331 Mill Road, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, about a 5-10 minute walk from either the Eisenhower Ave (Yellow) or the King Street Metro (Blue/Yellow lines). Limited parking is also available.

Class Size
Classes are restricted to a maximum of 12 people. This smaller class size allows for more interaction between me and the class.

Refreshments
A light continental breakfast will be provided prior to the beginning of class. Lunch will not be provided, but there are many local eateries close to the workshop location.

Laptops and IT
Attendees are encouraged to bring laptops, especially for the hands-on Excel tutorials in the afternoon. Wireless internet is available at the workshop location, though it will not be necessary for you to access the internet for purposes of the workshop. After the course concludes, you will receive an email with all of the lecture notes and supplemental material.

Want me to speak at your location?
Interested in on-site learning? I am available to visit your agency, think tank, or firm to talk about data visualization, software tools, or presentation techniques.