The Five Design-Sheet (FdS) approach for Sketching Information Visualization Designs

Jonathan C. Roberts

doi:10.2312/EG2011/education/029-036

The Five Design-Sheet (FdS) approach for Sketching Information Visualization Designs

Jonathan C. Roberts

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

There are many challenges for a developer when creating an information visualization tool of some data for a client. In particular students, learners and in fact any designer trying to apply the skills of information visualization often find it difficult to understand what, how and when to do various aspects of the ideation. They need to interact with clients, understand their requirements, design some solutions, implement and evaluate them. Thus, they need a process to follow. Taking inspiration from product design, we present the Five design-Sheet approach. The FdS methodology provides a clear set of stages and a simple approach to ideate information visualization design solutions and critically analyze their worth in discussion with the client.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Eurographics 2011 Education papers
Editors	Steve Maddock, Joaquim Jorge
Publisher	The Eurographics Association
Pages	029
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Print)	1017-4656
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2312/EG2011/education/029-036
Publication status	Published - 2011
Event	Eurographics 2011 - Llandudno, United Kingdom Duration: 11 Apr 2011 → 15 Apr 2011

Conference

Conference	Eurographics 2011
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Llandudno
Period	11/04/11 → 15/04/11

Access to Document

10.2312/EG2011/education/029-036

7 Paper
6 Article
5 Conference contribution
1 Book
More
- 1 Poster
- 1 Editorial

Critical Design Strategy: a Method for Heuristically Evaluating Visualisation Designs
Roberts, J. C., Alnjar, H., Owen, A. & Ritsos, P. D., 19 Nov 2025, In: IEEE Transactions on visualization and computer graphics. 32, 1, p. 1383-1393 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
20 Downloads (Pure)
Data Meets Creativity: Authentic Learning through Data Art Design and Exhibition
Roberts, J. C., 20 May 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Computers and Graphics. 19 p., 104248.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
67 Downloads (Pure)
Challenges and Opportunities in Data Visualization Education: A Call to Action
Bach, B., Keck, M., Rajabiyazdi, F., Losev, T., Meirelles, I., Dykes, J., Laramee, R. S., AlKadi, M., Stoiber, C., Huron, S., Perin, C., Morais, L., Aigner, W., Kosminsky, D., Boucher, M., Knudsen, S., Manataki, A., Aerts, J., Hinrichs, U. & Roberts, J. C. & 1 others, Carpendale, S., Jan 2024, In: IEEE Transactions on visualization and computer graphics. 30, p. 649-660 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
100 Downloads (Pure)

Data Meets Creativity: The Data Art 2025 Exhibition
Roberts, J. (Contributor)
12 May 2025 → 2 Jun 2025
Activity: Other
EduVis : Workshop on Visualization Education, Literacy, and Activities
Keck, M. (Chair), Huron, S. (Chair), Panagiotidou, G. (Chair), Stoiber, C. (Chair), Rajabiyazdi, F. (Chair), Perin, C. (Chair), Roberts, J. (Chair) & Bach, B. (Chair)
22 Oct 2023 → 27 Oct 2023
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in Academic conference

Best Short Paper (the David Duce award) for: Towards Developing a Digital application for the Five Design-Sheets Methodology
Owen, A. (Recipient) & Roberts, J. (Recipient), 16 Sept 2022
Prize: National/international honour

File

Design Methods for Computing (including Five Design-Sheets)
Roberts, J. (Participant), Ritsos, P. (Participant) & Headleand, C. (Participant)
Impact: Technological
Project Rainbow
Roberts, J. (Participant), Roberts, D. (Participant), Ritsos, P. (Participant), Gray, C. (Participant), Mearman, J. (Participant) & Butcher, P. (Participant)
Impact: Technological, Societal

Cite this

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abstract = "There are many challenges for a developer when creating an information visualization tool of some data for a client. In particular students, learners and in fact any designer trying to apply the skills of information visualization often find it difficult to understand what, how and when to do various aspects of the ideation. They need to interact with clients, understand their requirements, design some solutions, implement and evaluate them. Thus, they need a process to follow. Taking inspiration from product design, we present the Five design-Sheet approach. The FdS methodology provides a clear set of stages and a simple approach to ideate information visualization design solutions and critically analyze their worth in discussion with the client.",

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The Five Design-Sheet (FdS) approach for Sketching Information Visualization Designs

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