Author Archives: jsnyder

Near…far

Posted on July 20, 2012 by jsnyder

I’ve been spending time this summer developing a data visualization course for the iSchool’s new Data Science program. This course is intended to introduce graduate students in the program to concepts and skills related to the visual display of large … Continue reading →

Posted in Field report | Leave a comment

Out of sight

Posted on March 13, 2012 by jsnyder

Yes, it’s been a long time since I posted, but I have a good excuse. I recently completed and defended my dissertation. So I have been writing about the visual forest, just not in blog format.  Quite the opposite. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“Let’s listen with our eyes not just our ears.”

Posted on November 9, 2011 by jsnyder

My favorite definition of information comes from Gregory Bateson in his book Steps to an Ecology of Mind (1972). He wrote that information is “difference that makes a difference.” I find this statement very compelling. I like to play with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I’m glad we don’t have a TV.

Posted on October 22, 2011 by jsnyder

This post is kind of an addendum to the previous post. The issue of difficult images came up again recently. Early this week, Curtis came on from work and said, “Have you seen the news?” Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Field report, Visual journal | 1 Comment

Visualizing anguish

Posted on August 17, 2011 by jsnyder

In the beginning of July, I traveled to Vancouver, BC to attend this year’s International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) conference. Many of the presenters and attendees are trained in and practice sociology, the conference is also attended by public health … Continue reading →

Posted in Field report | 2 Comments

Hidden in plain sight

Posted on June 28, 2011 by jsnyder

Visual literacy, in its most general sense, refers to the skills needed to interpret and use graphical information resources. It means knowing how to read a map. Or having enough sensitivity to social and cultural stereotypes to know when an … Continue reading →

Posted in Visual journal | 4 Comments

I am not a (graphic) designer.

Posted on April 28, 2011 by jsnyder

I just finished my first semester teaching a brand new graduate-level course that I created called Information Design. The School of Information Studies at Syracuse University generously allowed me try out this new offering and I was delighted to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Visual journal | 1 Comment

A single continuous line of ink

Posted on March 21, 2011 by jsnyder

Last weekend we took a trip to Ithaca’s Museum of the Earth.  Just past the exhibit about corn (oddly fascinating), was a seismograph machine.  This complex device is used to recognize and measure global seismic activity, documenting and recording movement … Continue reading →

Posted in Visual journal | Leave a comment

What I see today…

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jsnyder

    Syracuse in March.  I guess it will make us stronger… if it doesn’t kill us.

Posted in Visual journal | Leave a comment

Fellow travellers

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jsnyder

By this point, I would have thought I’d have a pretty good grasp on visual things. I began seriously studying painting and drawing as I entered high school. I have a terminal degree in visual art. My studio art practice … Continue reading →

Posted in Trail Head | Leave a comment