Illustrator Course for Data Visualization: Infographics, Charts & Graphs in Boston August 24, 2026

Data Visualization Essentials

• Introduction to data storytelling
• Why Infographics Matter in the Age of Information Overload 
• Identifying appropriate uses of infographics 
• Examples of good and bad data visualization

Creating Charts and Using Illustrator Graph Tool

• Chart types and when to use them, including bar, line, and pie charts
• Anatomy of an effective chart: title, axis, legend, data labels, color use
• Adding and formatting bar, line, and pie charts
• Aligning visual elements with text
• Building a chart infographic using data
• Importing data from Excel and other sources

Icon-based charts and Pictographs for data visualization in Illustrator

• Using icons to represent data
• Creating pictographs
• Designing layouts for timelines and proportional visualizations
• Blending qualitative and quantitative data
• Balancing clarity with creativity
• Importing icons
• Working with multiple data points

Understanding Layout, Visual Hierarchy and Design for Infographics

• Creating visual emphasis through spacing and contrast
• Applying color strategically for comprehension
• Effective use of typography
• Creating grid-based layouts using grids and guides
• Creating clean, clear visualizations

Word Clouds and Non-Numerical Data Visualizations in Illustrator

• Visualizing qualitative or frequency-based data
• Choosing shapes and colors that support interpretation
• Create a word cloud infographic from short-form text data

Data Visualization Project 

• Adapting an existing graphic into new forms
• Reframing the message through layout and style changes

Creating a Timeline Infographic in Illustrator

• Arranging time-based data
• Designing multi-step layouts
• Adding labels, icons, and highlights
• Building a timeline infographic using historical data

Create a Proportional Symbol or Icon Grid Chart

• Representing quantitative values with visual units
• Maintaining visual consistency and alignment
• Build a proportional symbol chart using repeating icon units

Map-Based Infographics using Illustrator

• Importing maps
• Colorizing maps
• Alternative solutions beyond Illustrator

Using Data for Storytelling

• Sketching, planning, and executing a custom infographic layout
• Creating a visualization from start to finish