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Fostering Creative Visualisation Skills Through Data-Art Exhibitions

Jonathan C. Roberts

TL;DR

The paper addresses the challenge of cultivating creative visualization skills within computing education by implementing a data-art exhibition as an authentic, project-based learning task for third-year students. The approach leverages a 12-week course structure, integrates data analysis, design methodology (Five Design-Sheets), and Processing-based implementation to produce public artworks and accompanying materials. Key contributions include a detailed curriculum framework, assessment plan, and qualitative reflections across two cohorts, demonstrating enhanced engagement, creativity, and practical data-art competencies. The work offers a replicable pedagogical model that connects classroom learning with public-facing practice, advancing both technical proficiency and artistic data storytelling.

Abstract

Data-art exhibitions offer a unique and real-world setting to foster creative visualisation skills among students. They serve as real-world platform for students to display their work, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. Students must develop a technical solution, grasp the context, and produce work that is appropriate for public presentation. This scenario helps to encourage innovative thinking, engagement with the topic, and helps to enhance technical proficiency. We present our implementation of a data-art exhibition within a computing curriculum, for third-year degree-level students. Students create art-based visualisations from selected datasets and present their work in a public exhibition. We have used this initiative over the course of two academic years with different cohorts, and reflect on its impact on student learning and creativity.

Fostering Creative Visualisation Skills Through Data-Art Exhibitions

TL;DR

The paper addresses the challenge of cultivating creative visualization skills within computing education by implementing a data-art exhibition as an authentic, project-based learning task for third-year students. The approach leverages a 12-week course structure, integrates data analysis, design methodology (Five Design-Sheets), and Processing-based implementation to produce public artworks and accompanying materials. Key contributions include a detailed curriculum framework, assessment plan, and qualitative reflections across two cohorts, demonstrating enhanced engagement, creativity, and practical data-art competencies. The work offers a replicable pedagogical model that connects classroom learning with public-facing practice, advancing both technical proficiency and artistic data storytelling.

Abstract

Data-art exhibitions offer a unique and real-world setting to foster creative visualisation skills among students. They serve as real-world platform for students to display their work, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. Students must develop a technical solution, grasp the context, and produce work that is appropriate for public presentation. This scenario helps to encourage innovative thinking, engagement with the topic, and helps to enhance technical proficiency. We present our implementation of a data-art exhibition within a computing curriculum, for third-year degree-level students. Students create art-based visualisations from selected datasets and present their work in a public exhibition. We have used this initiative over the course of two academic years with different cohorts, and reflect on its impact on student learning and creativity.
Paper Structure (4 sections, 2 figures)

This paper contains 4 sections, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related work
  3. Lectures, activities and study tasks
  4. Discussion and Conclusions

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: The schedule of lectures, activities and independent study, for the data-art exhibition authentic task. This project-based learning enables students to focus on a task, learn about data analysis, design, generate inspired ideas, and implement a data-art artwork that is suitable for public display.
  • Figure 2: Final exhibition showing students' work. Featuring a diverse array of data-art creations crafted by students as part of their coursework.