Training

Masterclasses, courses & talks

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 - more details of which can be found below. 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.

KEY MODULES

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • A half-day module

    • 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

“The workshop was enjoyable and inspiring. It was clear that Adam and Tobias were very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject”
— KIRSTEEN RODGER, Digital Content Manager, Nestlé
“The course was enlightening and it gave us many ideas for the future. All our colleagues were very impressed”
— GIULIO ZUCCHINI, European Parliament
“Extremely useful and insightful. I would highly recommend working with Add Two Digital.”
— AUDREY TAN, University College London

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