Week 38.1 — Data visualisation 1
Tuesday 15 September, 12:30–16:00
An Introduction to data visualisation
In the this class, we move on from data wrangling to the task of visualising data. We will look at what makes good and bad data visualisations and how the way humans perceive information and colour from graphs that make a graphic better or worse. We’ll take a short look at colour models and how to choose colour palettes that work with human perception to accurately convey information.
You’ll learn some introduction ggplot2 commands to create simple graphics, and then work through an exercise to practice these new skills.
To prepare for todays class
- Watch this video giving you an introduction to data visualisation. The video has chapters, and you don’t need to watch it all in one sitting.
Slides
Slides for the video
What you’ll be doing
We will go through questions arising from the Data pivoting and joining exercise from the last class. If you want Mona or I to recap anything, make a note to ask us at the start of the class.
Then we’ll have a live coding (follow-along) session where I introduce you to the grammar of graphics and the ggplot2 package.
Afterward, you will work through a short exercise to practice some basic ggplot commands.
Slides
Read the Data Visualization chapter in the r4ds book. If you have time it would be good to refresh before the next class the introduction to ggplot that we did in class.
Find an example of a “bad” graphic. In the next class your groups you will discuss what makes your individual graphs bad and select the worst graph to battle with the other groups for the title of “Worst graph 2026” and a small prize.
Upload your “bad” graphic to the Worst graph of 2025 discussion topic in Brightspace.