Non-Degree / Dates: 12 – 23 January 2026
Data has become one of the most powerful ways we understand the world, from how societies and cultures evolve to how individuals make daily decisions. Yet data on its own rarely speaks clearly. It needs to be organized, interpreted, and communicated effectively. Visualization plays a central role in this process as it transforms numbers into stories, makes complex patterns visible, allows us to see relationships that are otherwise hidden, and thus to make right data-informed decisions.
This course offers students a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of data visualization based on the principles behind clear, ethical, and impactful visual communication. Across two intensive weeks, participants will learn how to read, critique, and design effective visualizations, as well as how to apply theoretical frameworks (such as perceptual psychology and design principles) to practical examples using Python programming language, modern plotting libraries, and AI. Students will also engage with questions of ethics, misrepresentation, and persuasion in data visualization, as they develop a critical and creative approach.
By the end of the course, students will develop and present a mini-project, applying course concepts to real-world data in a coherent, story-driven format.
The course awards contributes to students’ broader competencies in data literacy, critical thinking, and communication, skills that are increasingly valuable across disciplines and professions.
Why this course?
Teacher(s)
Yan Asadchy, MSc, Junior Research Fellow at Tallinn University, is an interdisciplinary researcher and a Ph.D. student at CUDAN Open Lab, Tallinn University. He works at the intersection of computer science and humanities and uses computational methods to examine digital culture and self-representation on social media. He is a member of MIT’s Connection Science group and the DTx Research Group at Oulu University. Yan founded Affinity OÜ, a design agency that provides ethical design consultancy and solutions to startups and research groups in digital health, wellbeing, and AI. Yan has a background in UX/UI design and earned his MSc in Human-Computer Interaction from Tallinn University.
Timetable
Classes take place from Monday to Friday 10:00-13:30.
Please look at the example of day-by-day program here.
Participants
The course is designed for Bachelor’s and Master’s students from any discipline who are interested in improving their ability to analyze and communicate with data. No prior experience in programming or statistics is required, though familiarity with basic data handling will be helpful. The mix of lectures, group discussions, hands-on labs, and project work makes the course accessible to beginners while also offering depth for more advanced students.
Credit points
Upon full participation and completion of course work students will be awarded 3 ECTS points and a certificate of completion.
Course fee
750 EUR
NB! Accommodation, cultural programme and meals are not included in the price.
Contact
