CIVDDD Lab at York University, Photo by Jonathan Nuss

RESEARCH PROFILE

Centre for Innovation in Information Visualization and Data-Driven Design (CIV-DDD), OCAD University, York University, University of Toronto

The tri-university CIV-DDD is a new interdisciplinary hub for information visualization research unrivalled in Canada for having equal scientific and artistic grounding.

In the era of Big Data, virtually every research field grapples with massive data sets to tackle some of the most important scientific, social and human problems. The challenge lies in transforming data into knowledge – creating a new demand for powerful and sophisticated visual tools for capturing and analyzing information.

The opening of the Centre for Innovation in Information Visualization and Data-Driven Design (CIV-DDD) in May 2013 marked a major step in fulfilling this need. Led by York University in partnership with OCAD University and University of Toronto, the $11.5 million network joins together artists, designers, engineers and scientists in the development of new techniques for data discovery, design, analytics and visualization.

“In the new paradigm of data-driven discovery, art and design researchers have a profound role to play in partnership with scientists, making the invisible visible, heralding a new era of knowledge, cultural creation, and technological products,” said President of OCAD University and GRAND Board Member Dr. Sara Diamond. Diamond is a co-principal investigator with CIV-DDD. The network is lead by Dr. Amir Asif, (York University).

Building on existing regional research strengths of the three universities, CIV-DDD focuses on four areas of visualization research: bioinformatics and medicine, mixed reality/interactive visualization, engineering and physical sciences, and humanities and social sciences – each addressing technology and design, research and innovation.

Collaboration between industry and academia has been crucial to the success of CIV-DDD, involving partners across the communications, business analytics, health care, earth sciences, and technology sectors, among them the Globe and Mail, BBM Analytics, IBM, Zerofootprint, Empress, the CBC, Toronto Rehab, MDA Corporation, and SideFX.

The CIV-DDD-supported CBC Newsworld Project, lead by GRAND PNI Dr. Martha Ladly (OCADU) in project NEWS is looking at the visualization and sonification (making data available and searchable through sound) of large portions of the 24-hour news service’s corpus. The CBC, an industry partner, provided access to its vast and unique collection of audio and video material that dates back over 20 years.

CIV-DDD also maintains a strong connection with the GRAND-sponsored BRAVA (Brazil Visual Analytics) Initiative – an international research network for visual analytics funded through Boeing, Mitacs and other partners.

“As a research hub for the development of next-generation data visualization techniques, the CIV-DDD is unique in its level of interdisciplinary fire power, strong collaboration with end-users, and international links. It aggregates and extends much successful collaboration amongst the researchers,” said Diamond.

Links

CIV-DDD Website

October 24, 2013 ICTC and CIVDDD work towards creating advanced technology youth opportunities

March 04, 2010 OCAD announces innovative research partnership

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