Add Two digtal

A specialist information design agency that offers training in visualisation and data storytelling

Data visualisation courses

We offer a wide range of courses, from an introduction to storytelling with data visualisation to targeted courses in subjects like animation, social media and presentations.

Courses

An intro to data storytelling

Based on our long-running one-day Guardian bootcamp

Covers the process of creating data stories - Find, Design, Make, Refine

Offers an overview of good practice for both static and interactive stories

Tricks and tips for how to introduce immediate changes in your own work

Data storytelling in Powerpoint

Course can be between one and four days

Focuses on how to structure stories in a single slide and across a whole deck

Explores how to use the native Powerpoint charting engine to tell more effective data stories

Longer courses examine copywriting for titles and subtitles, how to create more sophisticated charts and maps, and how to use PowerPoint as an animation tool

Infographics

How to wireframe more complex static graphics

How to use free tools like Canva or Venngage to create charts that tell a single, simple story

How to ensure your graphics are modular, so that each element can also be chunked up for social media.

Guidance on iconography, illustration and chart choices

Can be a half-day or full-day module

Interactive infographics

The principles of interactive storytelling - finding and structuring your data stories

Wireframing and building ‘scrollyteling’ sites using free tools such as Canva, Raw, Flourish and Datawrapper

Choosing the right kind of chart for each section of the story, and deciding when and where interactivity is appropriate

An overview of interface elements and how they can enhance user experience

Can be a half-day, 1 day or 2 day module

Motion graphics and animations

How to script, storyboard and build short animated data stories for social media or live events

Free tools (PowerPoint and Canva) are used for this course, although After Effects (a paid tool) is also discussed

Key animation methods (fades, zooms, wipes) are discussed, particularly as they apply to the presentation of charts

Can be a half-day or longer (up to 2 day) module

Copywriting in data visualisation

Understanding the foundational nature of text in all visualisation work (building from sentences up)

Ensuring that your text compliments your visuals

Creating effective titles, subtitles and annotations

Working with style guides, and the importance of Plain English

A half-day or full day module

Qualitative data visualisation

How to tell effective data stories when you are working with qualitative data: interviews, hierarchies, processes or concepts

How to make aesthetic decisions that improve clarity, legibility and impact

Effective use of illustration, iconography and photography

Best practice examples and templates are shared for all of the key qual story types

Can be a half-day or full day module

Accessibility and testing

Ensuring that UX principles and accessibility standards are adhered to, drawing on W3C guidelines

A deep dive into the POUR framework (perceivable, operable, understandable, robust) as it applies to charts

Understanding where the rules need to be interpreted more creatively in order to ensure a rich experience for all users

A walkthrough of key online resources and accessibility tools

Running a data visualisation project

How to create a brief, run a brainstorm, define an audience, and project manage the creation of a data storytelling product

Ideally a live client project is used for all workshop tasks

Perfect for those who are already running data viz projects, but want to work more effectively as a team or to create projects with more measurable impact

Can be a short intro module (half-day) or a longer (two-day) session

Get in touch

If you want to book a course, get an estimate of price or just find out more, you can email us at info@addtwodigital.com or use the form below:

The course content

Adam Frost and Tobias Sturt of Add Two offer bespoke data visualisation training to suit all needs. Our core offer, based on our long-running Guardian Masterclass, provides a general introduction to all aspects of modern information design. It can be delivered as both an in-person seminar or as a webinar.

Moving through the four stages of our data viz process (Find, Design, Make, Refine), we suggest best practice examples and share tried-and-tested advice on how to make your data stories meaningful and engaging. We cover both static graphics and interactive dashboards. Each course includes two hands-on workshop sessions, based on client data wherever possible.

We also offer a range of other courses and modules. These modules focus on specific software such as PowerPoint or Flourish, or on important aspects of visualisation practice such as accessibility and user testing. Alternatively, we can create entirely bespoke courses, based on specific client challenges.

For all of our courses, we recommend using client data for all workshop exercises so the outputs are as practical as possible.