Andrew+M+R01

The reading dove into my particular area of interest with is comparison of tabular data and graphical data. The human mind is not meant to visualize large or small qualities, as numbers in general do not have impactful meaning to the human mind. For example, the differences between a million, billion or even trillion are very hard for the mind to conceptualize, we know they are big numbers, but we cannot accurately imagine what a million m&m's must look like. Guessing how much space they take up or guessing how many are in a particular space, like a jar, has been the basis for many games that rely on our inability to conceive of large and small numbers.

This is where design comes in, if I can visually represent one m&m side by side to one thousand m&m’s, that is far more impactful than writing the number 1 next to the number 1,000. With a visual representation of the quantities comes their ability to exist in the physical world where volume, weight and time are real and their effects are part of our lives. A visual representation that draws upon aspects of our life experiences and can be interacted with becomes, real. Suddenly one million m&m’s can now be expressed as a space the size of a washing machine. This method of comparison is much easier to grasp and is frequently used over displaying actual numbers; often we hear phrases such as “as big a football field” because to us as American’s, a football field is culturally iconic and relatable.

Another highlight of the reading was the authors choice to use the phrase “puny data set” when referring to the ability of data to produce an accurate and/or sufficient graphical representation. When working with data sets there is nothing more satisfying then recreating thousands, or hopefully more, points of data into a graphic. As the amount of data polled increases, its resolution at any given interval becomes increasingly more fine; which produces a far better visual presentation. A graph with gracefully smooth curves that can be magnified several times while maintaining that grace, as well as accuracy, gives the designer more options on how they present the data and how the user can interact with it. Also, when comparing a massive spreadsheet that has demographics of the entire population of the U.S. with its millions of rows, to an interactive graph, the graph is much less intimidating. The ability to convert information into an experience that is easier to understand is a rewarding feeling. Even better is to know that the viewer may actually learn something from your work and even get enjoyment from it, this is quite an accomplishment given that the experience produced is based off of line after line of repetitive numbers.

Some of the more unconventional graphical portrayals were by E.J. Marey such as the man in black velvet which shows the fluid movement of a person’s stride through the use of multiple images that are otherwise lost to the human eye. His time-lapse, storyboard like images of the starfish turning itself over also work to freeze time and let the viewer experience a snap shot of time. Representing an action that is very slow or very fast at an unnatural speed is often an eye-opening visual that portrays a world, or time scale, we cannot perceive. Whether using images or data the viewer reaction of “I’ve never thought of it like that” is always a success.