Home › Teaching ›

Visualization and Visual Communication

Computer science education focuses on the technical aspects of computer graphics - or, as one of my students once put it: Computer graphics is mostly computers, but little graphics.

For Syllabus, Slides, Assignments, etc, look at the Materials Page!

In this class, we will look at the many fields that are relevant to the contents of the images we create in visualization, and investigate the use of visualization for visual communication. Some of the fields that we will look at are:

  • Photography
  • Perceptual Psychology
  • Medical and Technical Illustration
  • Art

To make the class even more interdisciplinary, it is my intention to mix computer science students with their colleagues from the arts and architecture. This will hopefully create a challenging and fun environment to come up with some interesting new ideas.

A similar class held last spring in Vienna yielded some very positive feedback from the students, and also some exceptional results.

Why should I take this class?

That depends on who you are, or more specifically, what your major is.

  • Computer Science

    • Broaden your understanding of all things visual, and how that can be applied to your work
    • See new ways of communicating information
    • Interact with artists, and learn to understand their language
    • Learn some useful, non-technical skills

  • Art and Architecture

    • Explore ways to apply artistic principles to the understanding of data
    • Apply your knowledge and experience in a different context
    • See some cutting-edge research and technology
    • Interact with computer science students, and learn to understand their language

  • Communication

    • Expand your understanding of communication into the visual realm
    • Apply your knowledge in a different field

  • Everybody

    • Think about abstract data in a visual way
    • Discover patterns and trends in real-world data sets
    • Design new means for depicting data

Where and when will the class be held?

The class will be held again in Spring 2008.
Course number: ITCS 4123/5123
When: Wes 2:00-4:45pm
Where: 130 Woodward Hall (building 56 on this map, ground floor)

Is there a textbook?

Not right now, no. So far, I have used copies of my slides plus additional materials like papers. I am looking into using a book, but since that will only be available mid December for me to review, I am not yet sure if I will want to use that. 

Has this been done before?

Further Questions?

Don't hesitate to contact Robert Kosara, I will be happy to answer any questions and talk you into taking the class.

---