Data sonification: Making music from the yield curve

Alan Smith (Financial Times)

10:20am–10:40am Thursday, September 26, 2019

Location: 3E

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Based on a critical evaluation of the iconic yield curve chart, Alan Smith argues that combining visualization (data to pixels) with sonification (data to pitch) offers potential to improve not only aesthetic multimedia experiences but also an opportunity to take the presentation of data into the rapidly expanding universe of screenless devices and products.

Alan Smith

Financial Times

Alan Smith is the head of visual and data journalism at the Financial Times. A data visualization specialist, he writes the _FT_’s popular “Chart Doctor” column. Alan is an experienced presenter, having lectured extensively on how to communicate with data. His TEDx talk, “Why you should love statistics,” was a TED.com featured talk in 2017. Previously, he worked at the UK’s Office for National Statistics, where he founded its award-winning Data Visualisation Centre. Alan received a BA in geography from the University of Lancaster and holds an MSc in GIS from Salford University. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Queen Elizabeth II’s 2011 Birthday Honours list.