COD 301 Design Studio III Active Syllabus

COD 301 Design Studio III: Data Visualization

Explores information design, quantitative aesthetics, and interactive visual analytics. Students examine data collection, visual hierarchy, typography as interface, and motion narratives to communicate complex real-world information.

Institution Özyeğin University
Department Communication Design
Instructor Alp Tuğan ↗
Studio Resource Teaching Blog ↗
COD 301 Design Studio III Cover
Studio Syllabus & Presentation Decks (15 Weeks)
Week 01 Available

Introduction to Information Design & Studio

  • Information architecture and visual representation of data
  • Studio structure, semester deliverables & design critique format
  • Course materials, reading lists, and curated inspiration databases
  • Studio environment: Collaborative critique and experimental rigor
  • Project topics, seminal examples, and contemporary benchmarks
Open Week 01
Week 02 Available

Data Visualization Fundamentals & Five Principles

  • Data collection methodologies and ethical data sourcing
  • Iterative sketching and analogue data mapping
  • Designing for clarity vs. aesthetic engagement
  • Presentation strategies for dense quantitative narratives
  • The Five Principles of Effective Information Design
Open Week 02
Week 03 Available

Typography as Interface & Visual Hierarchy

  • Three-tier reading hierarchy: Title > Glance Layer > Deep Details
  • Annotation layers and micro-copy in infographics
  • Grid structures, modular columns, and spatial alignment
  • Type scales, tabular numbers, and typographic legibility in charts
Layouts Deck Typography Deck ↗
Week 04 Available

Critique Session & Dataviz History in Türkiye

  • Quantified Self poster presentations and pin-up review
  • Structured peer assessments and group discussions
  • Early data visualization & infographics history in Türkiye
  • Archival charts, statistical atlases, and Ottoman statistical graphics
Open Week 04
Week 05 Available

Moving Images & Temporal Data

  • Animation as an analytical tool for time-series data
  • International case studies and interactive documentary features
  • Harvesting and integrating external APIs and public data sources
  • Modern online toolchains and motion graphic workflows
Open Week 05
Week 06 In Preparation

Asset Pipelines & Computational Collage

  • Loading external visual assets and structured datasets
  • Computational collage and procedural graphic assemblage
  • Studio exploratory prototyping
Studio Portal ↗
Week 07 In Preparation

Image Processing & Interactive Visuals

  • Analytical filtering and raster data manipulation
  • Interactive controls: mousePressed, drag, zoom
  • Designing responsive data dashboards
Studio Portal ↗
Week 08 In Preparation

Interactive Data Posters

  • Dynamic posters, book covers & interactive publications
  • For loops, coordinate grids, and multi-dimensional matrices
  • Push, Pop, matrix transformations for multi-chart layouts
Studio Portal ↗
Week 09 In Preparation

Data Sonification & Audiovisual Graphs

  • Mapping quantitative datasets to frequency, amplitude, and rhythm
  • Audiovisual charts and multisensory data representation
  • Sonic graphs for accessible information design
Studio Portal ↗
Week 10 In Preparation

Simulations, Noise & Algorithmic Charts

  • Agent-based simulations for sociodemographic modeling
  • Perlin noise flows and continuous data transitions
  • Algorithmic art praxis in analytical diagramming
Studio Portal ↗
Week 11 In Studio

Final Project Proposals & Discussion

  • Moodboard and dataset presentations
  • Theoretical framing, civic context, and aesthetic rationale
  • Peer critique and structured feedback roundtables
Studio Discussion
Week 12 Reviews

Final Project Reviews I

  • Draft visualization critiques and scale tests
  • Data fidelity and perceptual verification
Desk Critiques
Week 13 Reviews

Final Project Reviews II

  • Interactive polish, typography refinement, and layout locking
  • Print proofing & responsive screen validation
Desk Critiques
Week 14 Studio Staging

Studio Staging & Exhibition Prep

  • Final installation layout, catalog design & staging
  • Presentation dry runs
Studio Session
Week 15 Final Jury

Final Jury & Exhibition

  • Public defense of final data visualization projects
  • Guest jury evaluations, peer discussions & semester wrap-up
Final Jury