Visualising Complex Data: A Workshop Approach to Infographics and Knowledge Transmission

Abstract: Research in digital R&D is often fast paced with an emphasis on presenting results and findings (knowledge transmissions) both quickly and clearly. Infographics are often considered as a way of doing this for many disciplines including STS (albeit with an emphasis on explanation and description). With high-rendering capability in computation and the proliferation of infographics in the UK’s broadsheets and in public exhibition spaces more complex infographics seem to be within reach of a wide range of actors. The complex visualizations I will discuss are combinations of familiar techniques like combining a radar chart with a pie chart. This paper is based on 5 years of workshops initially aimed to help graphic design novices understand theory through practice. Subsequently, the workshop has been developed for professionals including financial analysts, performance researchers for washing machine technologies, insurance journalists, lawyers, designers for investment banks and cooperative housing associations, ethnographers, business start-ups and entrepreneurs in the UK, Japan, Brazil, France and Italy. Complex infographics do not save time but require a sustained commitment to exploring new methods and combinations often ahead of (if not apriori) of content production. Infographics can be a reductionist tool to simplify, combine and contrast data. However, as explored as a thoughtful processual method the infographic becomes a tool for something else, for slowing down. This paper will demonstrate the workshop method as a performative explanation of method whilst building on the explanatory mode of recording workshop methods (Venturini, 2010).