Work and Play: Data for Designers

Join us for ‘Work and Play: Data for Designers’ — an all skill-level, participatory workshop tailored for freelance creatives, arts workers, students and aspiring data and design professionals. As part of the 2026 DesignTO Festival, this PWYC (pay what you can), half-day workshop will cover the basics of data sourcing, analysis, and visualization. Additionally, we will explore how data can be leveraged in strategic and creative story telling.

‘Work and Play’ will deepen and expand your creative practice and expertise through engaging hands-on activities that showcase free and available data tools, diverse case studies, and creative approaches that engage with data. Participants will also tackle sampling their own data, learn to find meaningful insights, and craft compelling stories for their businesses, charities, or art projects.

Workshop Program: January 31st, 2026

2-3pm:

• Data Visualization History (Key Moments)
• Data Basics
• Activity #1

3-4pm:

• Starting a data project
• Sourcing and Cleaning
• Analysis and Visualization techniques
• Activity #2

Break 4pm-4:30pm (light refreshments)

4:30-6:00pm:

• Activity #3

Maximum Capacity: 15 Participants

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PWYC Suggestion: $30

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Questions: [email protected]

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About the Facilitators:

Surface Impression specializes in amplifying the impact of digital for cultural and mission-driven organizations. A significant portion of our work is with the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums). We also partner with a variety of other clients, such as educational institutions, foundations, and nonprofit organizations, to help them develop digital skills programs and culture sector research endeavors.

DART (Digital Action Research Transformation) is a cohort-based program for cultural institutions – such as galleries, libraries, museums, theatre companies and music venues – focused on building digital skills through collaborative action research, supported by mentorship and guidance from an expert team.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Surface Impression