DVS Readers' Club: "Building Science Graphics" by Jen Christiansen

Welcome to the Data Visualization Society Readers' Club, a new monthly gathering where early career individuals and seasoned professionals in the realm of data visualization come together to delve into the fascinating world of data storytelling. Our club is a community dedicated to exploring the intersection of data, design, and technology through the lens of literature. Each month, we select books or collections of articles centered around a common theme (ranging from color theory and accessibility in visualization, to the revolutionary impacts of artificial intelligence on our field).

This Month's Selection: "Building Science Graphics " by Jen Christiansen
For our upcoming session, we'll be exploring "Building Science Graphics: An illustrated guide to communicating science through diagrams and visualizations", a practical guide for anyone―regardless of previous design experience and preferred drawing tools―interested in creating science-centric illustrated explanatory diagrams. Starting with a clear introduction to the concept of information graphics and their role in contemporary science communication, it then outlines a process for creating graphics using evidence-based design strategies. The heart of the book is composed of two step-by-step graphical worksheets, designed to help jump-start any new project."

Ideally, you would have read this book prior to this discussion meeting.

Next Event Details:

• Date: Saturday June 29th
• Time: 3pm EST (7pm UTC)
• Zoom Link: Will be emailed the day of the event

What to Expect:

• Curated Readings: Every month, the DVS community votes to select a book or a collection of articles that sparks curiosity, challenges our understanding, and enhances our skills in data visualization.
• Engaging Discussions: Our meetings are structured to foster insightful discussions, allowing members to share their perspectives, insights, and takeaways from the readings. Whether you're an early career enthusiast or a seasoned professional, your voice is valued here.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about data visualization. Our club is a great way to build your professional network, find mentors, or simply make new friends who share your interests.
• Special Guest Appearances: Occasionally, we'll have the authors themselves or renowned experts in the field join our discussions, offering unique insights and answering your burning questions.

What is the Discussion Format?

Following in the footsteps of Datawrappers' Dataviz Book Club, this book discussion will be entirely virtual - no cameras, no microphones. Rocking it like it's a 2004 online forum, we will be posting our answers to a set of questions and then responding to each other's questions via an interactive notebook (yopad.eu). The questions are posted below, providing a handy guide by which to approach reading the book and allowing everyone an opportunity to prepare responses ahead of time. Read a review of this format here.

Why a virtual, text-based discussion?

• Inclusivity: It allows for multiple conversation streams to take place at once, meaning you can interact with more people in the discussion club than you can in a traditional discussion format. Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate.
• Accessibility: Written discussions are more accessible to individuals who have auditory processing difficulties, speaking difficulties, an aversion to public speaking, etc.
• Clarity and Focus: Written discussions can lead to clearer communication, as participants have the opportunity to carefully craft their responses and ensure that their points are understood. It also helps keep the conversation focused on the topic at hand.
• Flexibility and Reference: Participants can read and respond at their own pace, and people can review the conversation at any time (including after the meeting has finished). Additionally, this format can accommodate a book club ranging from 5 people to 100 by creating breakout rooms of 10-15 people each and utilizing multiple notebooks (which can be reviewed by anyone afterwards).

What are the questions? (Shamelessly borrowed from the Dataviz Book Club - why reinvent a perfectly good wheel?)

• What was your general impression of the book? How did you like it, what was confusing to you, would you recommend it?
• What was most insightful and surprising about the book? Did this book change or challenge any preconceived notions you had about the subject?
• Having read the book, what will you do differently the next time you create a data visualization? What was the most important/influential take-away/piece of advice you read in this book?

I HIGHLY recommend preparing your answers ahead of time so you can simply copy/paste and spend more time reading and responding to others' answers.

Who Should Attend?
Whether you're just starting your journey in data visualization or you're a seasoned expert looking to engage with fresh perspectives, our club is open to all who are eager to learn and share. If you have a passion for uncovering stories hidden within data and wish to expand your knowledge through literature, the DVS Readers' Club is for you.

Join Us!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of data visualization in a friendly, inspiring environment. Register today and be part of a community that celebrates the power of data storytelling. And check out the Data Visualization Society if you're interested in these and similar events!

Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting!

For any questions or more information, please contact Zane Wolf (earlycareer [at] datavisualizationsociety.org).

Event Venue

Online