On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, VRƵ’s “Engage” lecture series continued with an insightful presentation by Professor Jonathan C. Roberts from the School of Computer Science and Engineering. Held in the Main Lecture Theatre on Dean Street, this session drew an enthusiastic audience of students and faculty.
Professor Roberts’ lecture, titled “Storytelling with Data: Creating Emotional Connections and Designing Alternatives” took a closer look at how data can move beyond mere numbers to tell meaningful, impactful stories. He explained that effective data visualization has the power to connect with audiences on a deeper level, transforming raw data into narratives that evoke emotion and enhance understanding.
The presentation unfolded in three sections. First, Professor Roberts discussed the importance of storytelling in design, presenting several examples of how data-driven narratives and data art can foster strong emotional responses. He then introduced the Five Design-Sheets (FdS) method—a structured, hands-on approach for brainstorming and sketching visualization ideas, which he initiated and he further co-developed. Finally, he delved into a generative, path-based method for creating visualizations, suggesting its potential applications in the development of AI-driven visual tools.
Professor Roberts’ work is widely recognised, particularly for his contributions to interactive visualization design and Multiple Coordinated Views. Collaborating with experts across various fields, including law, media, archaeology, and ocean science, he seeks innovative ways to present and analyse data, pushing the boundaries of visualization to offer new perspectives and solutions. He co-authored Five Design-Sheets: Creative Design and Sketching for Computing and Visualization (Springer Nature, 2017), a book that serves as a resource for developing effective and engaging visualizations.
Attendees left the session inspired by the possibilities of using data as a tool for storytelling and the potential to create more engaging, insightful visualizations using Professor Roberts’ techniques. This lecture was a notable addition to the “Engage” series, reinforcing the school's commitment to connecting technical expertise with creative approaches in Engineering, Computing, and Design.