Program Overview

Course Overview

The Visual Design of Research course aims to equip students with the fundamental knowledge and techniques of visual design necessary to effectively present research results. Through the creation of exercises using PowerPoint and Excel, students will learn to convey their research findings in a clear and concise manner.

Course Details

• Credits: 1.0
• Year: 1, 2
• Semester: Spring AB NT
• Instructors: Sayoko Tanaka, Makoto Kobayashi
• Course Type: Seminar
• Supplementary Information on Course Type: Online (on-demand)
• Relation to Degree Program Competences: Academic Institute Specialized Competence - Research Competence

Course Objectives

The primary objectives of this course are to:

• Learn the basic knowledge and techniques of visual design necessary to effectively present research results on slides and posters
• Practice the skills and techniques of the program using PowerPoint and Excel

Course Structure

The course will be taught in the form of lectures and exercises, with assignments and quizzes administered each session. The course outline includes:

Class Schedule

1. Overall class description, Drawing with PowerPoint 1
   • Basic operation of figures
   • Basic operation of colors
   • Keeping figures simple
   • Gradients and transparency
   • Drawing a flask
2. Drawing with PowerPoint 2
   • Drawing DNA double helix (first half)
   • Drawing DNA double helix (second half)
   • Using brightness difference
   • Color universal design
3. Color Scheme
   • Basics of color scheme
   • Color schemes that communicate
   • Utilizing brightness difference
   • Color Universal Design
4. Chart
   • Basics of Graph Creation with Excel
   • Graphs that Communicate
   • Bar graphs
   • Stacked Bar Charts
   • Line Charts and Scatter Plots
   • Pie Charts
5. Diagram 1
   • Basics of Diagrams and Surrounding Shapes
   • Connecting lines and arrows
   • Layout of illustration to convey a message
   • Color Scheme of Illustration
6. Diagram 2 and Tables
   • Drawing the elements of illustration
   • Illustration Practice
   • Table Design with Excel (first half)
   • Table Design with Excel (Second Half)
7. Typefaces and Typography
   • Typefaces that communicate (first half)
   • Typefaces that communicate (second half)
   • Appropriate font size
   • Typography that communicate (First Half)
   • Typography that communicate (Second Half)
8. Layout Basics
   • Gaze Flow
   • Alignment
   • Proximity and Remoteness
   • Organizing and Structuring Information
9. Layout Applications
   • Slide Layout Grid
   • Slide Master
   • Slide Layout
   • Poster Layout
10. Summary

Course Prerequisites

Students should have prior experience with Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.

Grading Philosophy

• Evaluation method: Based on responses to exercises, quiz scores (60%), and final exam scores (40%)
• Evaluation criteria: Appropriate responses to exercises, quizzes, and the final exam

Course Hours Breakdown and Out-of-Class Learning

• Total class time: 15 hours
• Required out-of-class study time: 30 hours (preparation, review, assignment preparation, etc.)

Textbooks, References, and Supplementary Materials

• Explanatory videos will be delivered through the course platform
• A textbook will be distributed

Reference Books

1. 田中 佐代子, PowerPointによる理系学生・研究者のためのビジュアルデザイン入門
2. Matt Carter, Design Science Presentations
3. 田中 佐代子, 研究者のためのIllustrator素材集

Behavioral Expectations and Points to Note for Students

• This class is designed for students to learn basic knowledge and skills; intermediate and advanced students are not recommended to take this class.
• Office software (PowerPoint, Excel) can be downloaded free of charge from the Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies website.