052  |  Science Communication at SciAm w/ Jen Christiansen

052  |  Science Communication at SciAm w/ Jen Christiansen

Author: Enrico Bertini and Moritz Stefaner April 2, 2015 Duration: 1:02:36
Hey yo, we have Jen Christiansen from Scientific American with us in DS#52. Jen is art director of information graphics at Scientific American magazine where she is been for about then years and she has a background in natural science illustration from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Science communication is one of our favorite topics and we are so happy to have such an amazing expert like Jen on the show. Jen reveals the nitty gritty of scientific visualization and illustration as experienced by one of the top scientific communication magazines in the world. "How does a scientific piece come to life? Where does an idea for a new piece come from? How do they interact with the scientists to make sure everything they report is accurate and yet accessible for a broad audience? And what does need to be done before an illustration gets ready for print?" We discuss this and many other questions with Jen. Enjoy the show! This episode of Data Stories is sponsored by Tableau. You can download a free trial at http://tableau.com/datastories. jen-christiansen LINKS Jen Christiansen’s home page http://jenchristiansen.com Scientific American: http://scientificamerican.com A Look under the Hood of Online Data Visualization (collection of SciAm graphics from the past) Where the Wild Bees Are: Documenting a Loss of Native Bee Species between the 1800s and 2010s (Piece on Bees done with Moritz) (project’s page from Moritz) Jan Willem Tulp’s The Flavor Connection (on food pairings theory) - and original scientific article and graphics from Barabási’s lab (pdf) Pop Culture Pulsar: Origin Story of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures Album Cover (artists using scientists' images - transcending the context of a visualization)

Enrico Bertini and Moritz Stefaner have a conversation you’re invited to join. Their Data Stories podcast sits at a fascinating crossroads, where the technical craft of data analytics meets the intuitive design of visual representation. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a cafe with two experts who are genuinely curious, unpacking not just the "how" but the "why" behind the ways we see and understand information. You’ll hear them explore the latest tools and research, but also grapple with the deeper questions of narrative, aesthetics, and human perception that give data its true meaning and impact. The discussions are grounded in their professional experiences, making complex ideas in technology and design feel accessible and immediately relevant. It’s a space for anyone who creates, studies, or simply wonders about the charts, maps, and diagrams that shape our world. By weaving together perspectives from arts, education, and visual practice, this podcast reveals how data, when thoughtfully handled, can tell stories that are as compelling as they are informative. Tune in for a consistently thoughtful look at the evolving language of numbers and shapes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 170

Data Stories
Podcast Episodes
149  |  xkcd or the art of data storytelling with web cartoons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:49
Randall Munroe is the mastermind behind the xkcd webcomics which have zillions of fans around the globe. In his stick figure cartoons and hilarious mini-stories, he comments on complicated scientific issues. Over the yea…
147  |  Iconic Climate Visuals with Ed Hawkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
We have climate scientist Ed Hawkins on the show to talk about climate visualization. Ed is the person behind the famous Climate Spirals and Climate Stripe visualizations, both of which have a made a huge impact beyond t…
146  |  Sweating the details with Nicholas Rougeux [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
We have digital artist Nicholas Rougeux on the show to talk about his beautiful data art projects and the processes he follows. Nicholas created numerous iconic pieces with an extraordinary attention to details, such as…
145  |  FT Data Crunch with Federica Cocco and John Burn-Murdoch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:44
We have Federica Cocco and John Burn-Murdoch on the show to talk about their new Financial Times visualization series called Data Crunch. The series features Federica and John having a data-driven conversation about some…
143  |  The Pudding with Matt Daniels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:19
We have Matt Daniels on the show again. He is the CEO of The Pudding, a collective of journalist-engineers that create visual essays that explain ideas debated in culture. Their pieces are incredibly engaging, somewhat w…
Data Is Personal with Evan Peck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:26
[Our podcast is fully listener-supported. That’s why you don’t have to listen to ads! Please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon or sending us a one-time donation through Paypal. And thank you!] We have Evan Peck on…
Sketching and Visual Thinking with Eva-Lotta Lamm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:37
[Our podcast is fully listener-supported. That’s why you don’t have to listen to ads! Please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon or sending us a one-time donation through Paypal. And thank you!] We have Eva-Lotta La…