Introduction to Data & Information Visualization
When: April 12 – May 9, 2027 (4 weeks)
Where: Online, asynchronous (see more info)
Cost: $165
CE Credit: 1.4 CEUs / 14 LEUs
Program #: 3335
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Questions? Email the CE Team
This course teaches you how to create effective visualizations of complex information and data.
You will learn new ways to display data and how to apply fundamental principles of graphic & UX design and human cognition to choose the most effective data display methods for different contexts. We will explore how to avoid common pitfalls in data and information display.
This course also teaches you how to create useful visualizations of information to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences.
Practical knowledge on displaying information, using common data visualization tools, and creating effective data displays is covered.
Learning Outcomes
- Familiarize yourself with the basics of data and information visualization
- Turn complex data into easy-to-understand visuals
- Analyze the unique strengths and weaknesses of words and visuals and how to display each
- Understand the basics of graphic design principles
Course Audience
This is a broad introductory-level course for anyone interested in learning how to effectively present complex and dense data in an understandable format. The course is open to anyone in any industry.
Required Materials
There will be no required materials needed for this course. Reading materials will be all publicly available. Additionally, the instructor will suggest some free tools for data visualization, but they will not be required.
Instructor

Chris Laroche is a former user experience researcher. He currently teaches user experience topics within the iSchool/CAI and is working on his doctorate on the history of the user experience profession.
Chris previously worked at MIT, where he spent a decade building and running an internal UX consultancy.
Over his career, Chris has worked as a technical writer, information designer, consultant, & user researcher & designer. He has also been an adjunct lecturer teaching user experience for several decades at various universities.
Chris is an avid traveler across the cold North Atlantic, an Irish history devotee, & spends too much with his Boston Terrier, Cabot.