Data Visualisations
By: Sanaa Eter
Tags: Data Visualization

Retrieved from http://seeingdata.org/examples-visualisation/map-moves/

This visualisation looks very distracting. The lines drawn are a lot and have different colors which makes them difficult to be followed with. They have different sizes making the explanation even harder. However, since the title says “Map Your Moves” then they must convey a movement explanation, merely focusing on New York citizens. New York stands in the center of the graph and all the lines are sent from within its circle. The countries surrounding must show the countries that evolve around the movement of citizens from them into New York and vice versa.

Although the graphic seems confusing at first, the context aside supports with analyzing it easily. The colors of lines are divided between red and blue and the indicators on the right tell each color’s role. The reasons behind the movement of the citizens vary accordingly, all named on the right side of the graph. They must have been after a huge investigation. Moreover, the movement varies from 2000 till 2010, as mentioned under ‘over time’ on the right side. I think that the visualization still look complicating and would’ve been better if it was emphasized on one move only, ex. moving from New York outside. Moreover, if it was focused on one frame of time, such as 2000–2005 only. Thus the colors would’ve been easy to comprehend, and the reasons would be more understandable. The problem discussed, is not quickly studied by the reader. The reader gets distracted following all these lines and countries and spectrum of time. The design in itself doesn’t help in interpreting the meaning.

The graph misses a headline. A headline helps understand the main point of this graph without digging deep into the indicators.

However, the color red is not well accepted, since red labels may different things. If red meant blood, wound, or sensitivity, then why would “moving out” be like the blood moving out of the body which signifies here New York? Why not moving from other countries be also hurtful? If red meant love also the same issue would be tackled.

The type of the graph suits the topic discussed since it describes a flow of movement, which needs a circle to portray at its best. However, the timeframe is what instantly targeted by the reader in order to comprehend, but it’s left to the last indicator.

Retrieved from https://informationisbeautiful.net/2019/winners-of-the-world-data-visualization-prize/

This visualization has no title, making it very hard to tell the discussion. The topic is actually the award winners of the best data visualizations creators in the world. The amount of this prize is $6,000 as mentioned in the segment notation. The $6,000 prize goes to this data graphic. The visualization shows a chart the represents ‘World’s Happiness Report Score’ in terms of the ‘World’s Press Freedom Index Score’.

The circles distributed on the chart are the countries in the world, flowing in different directions and levels according to their happiness estimated in relation with their press freedom practiced inside the country. The colors are confusing making the names hard to be read, especially for those of light colors. However, the background color is shown as a light one as an advantage to grasp all the different colors on top with no confusion.

Although the names of the countries are shortened into the 3-letter official shortcut of the countries globally; yet, many of them are not very familiar.

However, the chart is easy to understand and follow the flow of the happiness of the countries. Yet, on what terms was happiness calculated? Who defined happiness? Under what circumstances were the citizens tested about their happiness? All these questions are to be asked by the reader without having further explanation accompanied by the graph. These conceptualizations need to be defined.

Retrieved from https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/best-in-show-whats-the-top-data-dog/

This chart is neatly illustrating the well known data concerning dogs. The first impression while looking at this graph is very satisfying. Mainly all colors are displayed, without focusing on one or two that would distract the reader. All the details are explained vividly, from showing the size of the dog labeled at, showing the intelligence (position of the dog: looking to the right or to the left), and putting a specific color to each kind of a dog. All these are placed on top of the chart to directly explain what’s provided below. The dogs are distributed in order of matching the six characteristics of the data score (intelligence, cost, grooming, etc..) with the popularity of the dog. Then, they’re categorized into four categories according to public demand.

The title for this chart gives a general glimpse of the material discussed. It could’ve shown what’s shown in terms of what, instead of making the reader get distracted with the four categories and the labelings on the axis.

The source cited beneath the chart helps prove the credibility of the information and helps understand the ideology behind the study.

However, this data misses the time element. It doesn’t show in which year was this study done, and/or will it change it with time or not? Yet, the chart would’ve been better if it was wider in size; not to get dogs stamping on each other making the reader get confused with what color of the dog is shown.