Seminar by Emma Charleston – Small data: Analogue, personal, imperfect and incomplete — a practice-based talk
Date: Wednesday 9th September 2026, 1pm
Location: Jack Cole Building, 1.33a
Abstract
The EMF data emporium was an art/science installation piece which explored the potential of collective, participatory data collection and visualisation, and the power of ‘small data’ — the incomplete, the imperfect, and the hand gathered. It was hosted in July 2026 at EMF Camp — a creative technology and arts festival in the UK. In this talk, its facilitator Emma Charleston discusses her own personal history as a creative practitioner, and how an interest in documentation, journaling and data visualisation led to the creation of this piece. She will discuss few key takeaways from running the installation, and how others might embrace the potential of analogue, participatory data collection and visualisation across a variety of contexts.
Biography
Emma is a graphic designer, illustrator and educator with over 15 years experience working across a variety of settings, with a particular focus on education, arts/culture and social justice/non-profit clients. Since 2022 she has been a lecturer at the London College of Communication, teaching across MA and BA courses in Graphic Design, Illustration, User Experience Design, and her current main role on MA Design for Data Visualisation. Her focus is on playful, participatory teaching, catered for a diverse audience spanning a wide variety of age ranges and ability levels.
MA Design for Data Visualisation is a research-led and practice-based postgraduate course that combines design skills, technical capability, and critical inquiry. Students learn to interpret, question, and communicate data in meaningful and inclusive ways across print, digital, and physical media. The course supports experimentation and responsible, audience-focused approaches to data storytelling.
