From Questions to Creation
a data viz workshop
Inspiration in the morning. Making in the afternoon. Leave with something you built.
A one-day creative data visualisation workshop with Neil Richards & Sophie Sparkes
Tuesday 3 November 2026 · Cockpit Bloomsbury, London
Early bird tickets only available to this list. Limited spots.
What you'll leave with
More than a workshop.
Something you made.
A physical data visualisation you built on the day, drawn, cut, made by hand on canvasA new way into creative thinking with data you can bring back to your workPractical approaches for team ideation, public-facing reports, or your own creative practice
what is this day?
Put down the laptop. Pick up a pen.
Most data visualisation training is about software. Which chart to use. How to build a dashboard. What the best tool is right now.
This day is about something else.
- Where creative ideas come
- How to look at data differently
- What happens when you put down the screen and start making something with your hands.
All of this in a small group of people who want more from their data than a bar chart.
who it's for
This day is for you if...
You work with data and want to communicate it in more interesting, engaging, and human ways.
You're a researcher or academic who needs to reach audiences beyond your field
You work in public sector or government and want to make data land differently
You suspect there's more to creative dataviz than you've had time to explore
You have a creative practice and want to bring data into it properly
You don't need to be able to draw. You need to be curious.
the day
How the day unfolds
09:30
Doors open, coffee
10:00
Neil Richards — Inspiration, questions, and creative thinking with data
11:30
Sophie Sparkes — Thinking beyond bar charts and rapid data viz ideation
12:30
Lunch — provided, all vegetarian
13:30
Making session — building on canvas using craft materials
16:00
Group share and recap
16:30
Close
your facilitators
Meet Neil & Sophie
Neil Richards
Author of Questions in Dataviz · Tableau Hall of Fame Visionary · 25+ years in data visualisation
"People leave his sessions not just trained, but empowered and confident, able to apply their new skills immediately."— Paul Chapman, Global Director Client Data & Analytics, JLL
"Neil never fails to deliver an engaging, informative presentation."— Sarah Bartlett, Head of Data Experience & Adoption, Virgin Media O2
Sophie Sparkes
Information Designer · Data viz workshop facilitator · 12+ years' experience
"Sophie has a remarkable ability to bring out the artistic vision in everyone, regardless of skill level."— Elliot McBride, Data Scientist, BlackRock
"This was the best afternoon I've enjoyed at work this year."— Workshop participant, July 2026
Pricing
Simple pricing.
Everything included.
early bird
£295
Email list only. Not publicly advertised. Limited spots. Available until 27 September.
Full price
£395
Available from 28 September when tickets go on general sale.
All materials included. Lunch provided. Cockpit Bloomsbury, Cockpit Yard, Northington St, WC1N 2NP — short walk from Chancery Lane tube.
FAQs
Common Questions
Do I need to be able to draw?
No. Sophie designs her sessions specifically for people who think they can't do creative work with data. Curiosity is the only requirement.
What materials do you provide?
Everything you need for the making session is provided. Just bring yourself.
Is lunch included
Yes, and it's entirely vegetarian.
Will this run again?
We plan to run this again in 2027. If October doesn't work, drop us a message and and we'll let you know about future dates.
Is this suitable for beginners or do I need data viz experience?
Some people will worry they're not "data" enough, others will worry they're not "creative" enough. Worth addressing both in one FAQ.
Will I have time to actually finish something on the day?
People worry about being put on the spot with a half-finished piece at the end. Worth reassuring them the making session is guided and the afternoon is structured so everyone leaves with something.
How is this different from other data viz training?
Most dataviz training teaches you software. This day doesn't touch any of it. Instead we focus on the creative thinking that happens before you open a tool. This training is about where ideas come from, how to find the interesting angle, and what making something physical does to the way you see data.
Can my organisation pay by invoice?
Yes. Drop us an email and we'll sort it out.
Can I bring a colleague
Yes, of course. Grab a ticket and they can book their own at the same link. The group is capped at 15 so the sooner the better.
Wednesday 14 October 2026 · Cockpit Bloomsbury, London
