Parallelism: Packing information into visualization
Information is fascinating at many different levels. Show me a simple graph of the components that make up a whole, that tells me something. I’ve found almost anything is more interesting when looked at across time, since it adds another dimension. This also helps with analysis, because outliers or rapid changes are often related to ...
Ben Fry on visualizations and Processing
I’ve been working with Processing for a few weeks now. Some people have asked me when I’m going to start delving into the data set for my final project. Good question. The answer is that I’m still trying to get some of these theory and technical tools down. I’ve been having a lot of fun ...
Committing fact errors in visualizations
At Medill, there’s a wonderful tradition called the “Medill F.” Make a factual error of any sort, and you fail the assignment. The sadistic part of me likes it — a journalist’s job is to tell the truth. If you miss the mark, you’ve failed the public, and failed at your job for the day. ...
Data Delver: Ted Mellnik, Charlotte Observer database editor
Computer-assisted reporting is important because of its potential for reporting and analysis. Visualization is important to present the information to readers. They both fall under the responsibilities of Ted Mellnik, database editor at the Charlotte Observer. His passion for data is as clear from a conversation with him as it is from his work. Combine ...
Importance of combining data analysis with context (reflections on readings from week two)
“Visual and Statistical Thinking: Displays of Evidence for Making Decisions,” Edward Tufte, Visual Explanations This chapter gave practical examples of something I’ve been saying from almost the first day of my data analysis journey — that it’s absolutely fundamental that the decisions behind the analysis are shown to the reader/user. Data’s never perfect, and if ...
Which states have been hit hardest by unemployment in the last decade?
I matched up the unemployment rates for each state in November 2009 with the unemployment rates from Nov. 1999, that is, the same measurements from a decade prior. Then, I calculated the absolute change of the unemployment rate, to see which states have been hit the hardest, looking at the quantity of citizens they are able to keep employed.
Data set here, culled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Reflections on Visualization Theory (Data viz readings, week 1)
In this first set of reading, I learn that the principles of simplicity, accuracy and more are as true in data visualization as they are in a text story. Edward Tufte, Visual Explanations, “Images and Quantities” In Tufte’s first paragraph of Visual Explanations, he discusses the importance of readability — a concept I see as ...
Changes in how we travel across U.S. borders
Traveling is something we often take for granted nowadays — at least, I know I do. And as situations in my life have changed, I’ve been thinking about all the different types of transportation I use. I’m a bit more reliant on my car in the Chicago suburbs, and while I griped about the Metro ...
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