Invitation to an NYU online seminar for Spring 2017 - The course offers immersion into the creative process, the discipline of sketching and revising, and the practical use of data visualization tools. This is a studio course with intensive work with the instructor.

1. The Art Of Data
Visualization
An Online Course
by
Dr. Andres Fortino

2. Spring 2017 Course Details
• Who:
– Dr. Andres Fortino, principal faculty
• Where:
– NYU School of Professional Studies
– Center for Advanced Digital Applications
• When:
– Five weeks, March 27-May 6, 2017
• What:
– Online self-paced, weekly modules (MOOC-style)
– Non-credit graduate-level seminar, graded
• Sign up:
– https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/courses/DATA1-
CE9002-the-art-of-data-visualization.html
– Cost: $675

3. Course Description
• Data visualization is storytelling in a graphical medium.
• The format of this course is inspired by the workshops used
extensively to train budding writers, in which you gain
knowledge by doing and redoing, by offering and receiving
critique, and above all, by learning from each another.
• Present your project while other students offer critique and
suggestions for improvement.
• The course offers immersion into the creative process, the
discipline of sketching and revising, and the practical use of
tools.
• Develop a discriminating eye for good visualizations.
Readings on aspects of the craft are assigned throughout
the term.

4. Course Prerequisites
• This is not a beginner’s class. You should have prior
experience making data graphics for an audience, and feel
comfortable offering critique of other’s work.
• For students in the Certificate of Analytics and Data
Visualization, appropriate preparation includes these
courses: Introduction to Analytics and Data Visualization,
Statistical Foundations of Analytics and Data Visualization,
Applied Data Management for Analytics and Data
Visualization, and Designing Data: Infographics.
• This course will not teach tools or techniques. Because of
prior work requirement, you are expected to use your own
preferred set of tools and techniques, such as Excel, Adobe
Illustrator, R, Tableau, and JMP.

5. Course Learning Outcomes
• Give constructive critique on other people’s data
visualization
• Listen and respond to critique from others on one’s
own data visualization
• Evaluate alternative visualization of the same data
• Refine and improve drafts of data visualization projects
• Interpret data visualization with an integrated lens
combining the perspectives of statistical graphics,
graphic design, and information visualization
• Create at least one piece of work that can be included
in one’s portfolio

6. Course Objectives
• The creation of a visual (sign) that delivers
intended message (signifier) elegantly and
achieves intended purpose (significant).
• In other words, after making a data visual
ask yourself:
“Did I create a good sign with a clear message and
moves people to action?”

8. Class Format - Online
• The instruction for the course is conducted online
asynchronously.
• That means there are not set “class meetings”. The material
for the class is posted on line as modules to be done weekly,
with short video presentations (10-20 min) by the instructor
and assignments to be completed each week.
• Since in this class students learn by giving and receiving
criticism class participate in the class forums each week is
required. Students are required to post at least one criticism
of two of their colleagues assignments to receive credit for
the class.
• Faculty is constantly available to give feedback and guidance
• All classwork as well as assignment submissions are done
through the NYU Classes Learning Management System.
• Studio format with small classes

9. Dr. Andres Fortino Bio
• Dr. Andres Fortino is a consultant in the innovation industry and is currently the
principal with Fortino Global Education.
• He teaches big data analytics and Innovation and Entrepreneurship at NYU School
of Professional Studies. He leads seminars in data visualization and business
analytics at the American Management Association.
• He served as Dean of Academic Affairs at DeVry College of New York and as
Associate Provost for Corporate Graduate Programs at the Polytechnic Institute of
New York University. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in electrical
engineering from City College of New York and a PhD in electrical engineering from
CUNY. Before joining NYU-Poly he served as Dean of the Marist College School of
Management.
• He is a Senior Member of IEEE and a Distinguished Speaker in Computer Science
with the IEEE. He is a Fulbright Specialist in Technology Management. His major
interests are innovation, creativity and data analytics and data visualization as well
as technology innovation management.

10. Student Comments from The Art of Data
Visualization Class Spring 2016
• The Professor did a great job of internalizing his sources and teaching key
elements in his modules. There were many good source materials
referenced/made available.
• I enjoyed the way the course was structured and how each module included
relevant and easy digestible information
• I enjoyed the PPT videos a great deal. I think the topics will stick with me and I will
be much more thoughtful when I create charts throughout my career.
• Assignments were great practice as were the opportunity to give and receive
feedback.
• I would have liked to learn a bit more about certain tools the instructor finds
valuable. I work mostly in excel and PowerPoint for my job but am interested in
learning quick ways to improve my visualizations with other tools and resources
• Great professor. I was very happy with the teaching style and the course overall.
• I found the feedback process to be very helpful-both giving and receiving. Unless it
is a very large class, I think everyone should have to provide feedback on
everyone's assignment.

11. Student Comments from The Art of
Data Visualization Class Fall 2015
• The class is extraordinary, however this instructor is a luxury instructor and it is
kind of disappointing that this is the only class that we do not interact with the
instructor
• Each aspect of data visualization has been discussed followed by projects to
reinforce the principles. Getting feedback from Prof. Fortino as well as the other
students is incredibly helpful as is seeing the other students' visuals.
• Prof. Fortino knows how to get the ideas across very effectively and clearly.
• I think it would be much more exciting if we can talk and interact which such a
super duper top notch teacher. I wish I could learn to talk the way he talks.
• I would keep everything the way it is.

12. Fall 2015 and
Spring 2016
Course Evaluations

13. For more information
please contact:
Dr. Andres Fortino
Fortino Global Education
agfortino@gmail.com
845.242.7614