A Complete Guide to Creating Animated Information Graphics

Course details

This is a two part class.

In part 1 you'll learn how to create information graphics that use data and reveal stories through animation. You'll learn how to go from data/reporting to an engaging and animated information graphic.

What you will learn

• An overview of the approach to starting with a set of data and assets
• Figuring out the story and whats important or interesting about the data
• Creating a hierarchy of interesting elements and an organizational scheme
• Writing a script
• Creating the final storyboard

We'll also cover things like best practices and some tips to keep in mind as you work on your project.

What you will make

Students will make a storyboard for an animated information graphic.

In part 2 you will get started on how to model, render, animate, and visualize data using the power of 3-dimensional design, and give a foundational overview of the 3D software package, Autodesk Maya. Graham has been using this software to create a wide variety of information design projects at The New York Times, and will relate these skills to work created in the journalism environment and beyond.

What you will learn

What you will make

Students will model, render, and animate a simple thermos as a way to learn the fundamentals.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR

This class is for anyone interested in data, information graphics, animation, and visual storytelling. If you are a designer, journalist, animator or simply interested in how this kind of work comes together, this class is for you!