Being Part of Visual Means
Image: Co-Director Jennifer Bernstein and students Alan Weingast, Francisco Pena, Ronaldo Spooner, Nadya Andrianova, and Alexandra Pozo meet in the Express Newark Courtyard. c/o Visual Means
By Jennifer Bernstein
What was the most important or valuable aspect of being part of Visual Means?
“Working with everyone to create something with everyone’s talents. Group projects with people who actually work come out great.”
David Lisi
“Learning new ways to extrapolate, compile and present data in unique ways.”
Alan Weingast
If you had to describe 3-4 things that you learned, what would they be?
“The Processing program. Discovering that visual data was something that was in my field of study. How we can connect with each other through data visualization and it does not always have to be this serious topic… That besides Processing and coding being very cool, data visualization is amazing and it’s something that can truly change our point of view with learning and understanding anything!”
Susanna Seery
“That there are many unique ways of visualizing the same type of information; the use of the program Processing; how to turn a complex amount of data into an easy to understand visualization.”
Alan Weingast
What made this experience different from a regular class?
“This courses was much more of an open book when it comes to experimenting with different topics, processes, and programs that we do not really do within regular class. It is a very open space to allow your creative juices to work with programs besides the regular Adobe programs. Plus, it is nice that we all worked collaboratively within the same topics.”
Susanna Seery
“The relaxed manner, and the collaboration.”
Alan Weingast
What was it like for you to work within a collaborative group/studio setting?
“I loved it. Everyone was talented and it all came together smoothly, even if it took some time to figure things out.”
David Lisi
“Amazing and Fun! Plus amazing support and advices from my follow classmates.”
Susanna Seery
“It was a great experience to have. It was a somewhat relaxed version of what we should expect when joining a professional design team.”
Alan Weingast
What was it like for you working with community partners/collaborators on a real project?
“Fun, made me want to do more of these and be in the work place.”
David Lisi
“Awesome !”
Susanna Seery
Would you recommend other students become part of either the Design Consortium or Visual Means design studios? And Why?
“Yes because it makes you feel like you’re part of something special and it makes you put your skills to the test.”
David Lisi
“I would, because it is an amazing opportunity which allows you to utilize your skills in a unique way.”
Alan Weingast
How do you feel about what the design team accomplished during your time as part of Visual Means?
“The course was amazing but there truly is never enough time to learning everything about a new software like Processing, and data visualization – it could take years. They are definitely amazing topics and I would love to do more work with these perspectives.”
Susanna Seery
“I feel that we managed to get an impressive design created with the confusing collection of data we were presented.”
Alan Weingast
What was your favorite part of this experience?
“Getting a better understanding and perspective as to how Processing and data visualization could change the way we see and do everything.”
Susanna Seery
“The lively, entertaining atmosphere we as a class created.”
Alan Weingast
What was your least favorite part of the experience?
“That the semester ended! Plus we could have spent more time learning Processing since it is so amazing!”
Susanna Seery
“The confusing data set we worked with. It took a while to decipher it so we could create a piece of design that would convey the information without being confusing.”
Alan Weingast
Please share any other thoughts or comments you would like us to know. Thanks!
“I loved being part of a group that can actually work together and a professor to push us and keep us on a path to follow. A great experience and makes you feel like you’re part of something big and worth something.”
David Lisi
“Overall, learning both data visualization and Processing was amazing and a major eye opener. I feel as if these topics could possibly be courses that students could take because of how amazing both topics are and how they are the future of understanding, communicating, and learning in a much more progressive direction.”
Susanna Seery
“I wish I hadn’t graduated, so I could take this class again.”
Alan Weingast
