Starting this class I assumed we were going to learn strictly about those "trendy" info graphics that seem to be appearing more and more in the media. The bright, colorful images or cartoons that are slowly becoming more and more present. I was happy to read this article in part that it re-opened my eyes to information graphics that I have taken for granted, such as maps and timelines. I think it is because maps are the first form of information graphics that humans created and the first that many are exposed to, thus it is often taken for granted when thought of amongst other types such as charts, graphs, timelines, etc.

There are different types of statistical data such as data maps, time-series maps, narrative graphics of space and time. Time-series maps are the most common and its little wonder why, humans are interested in our past and how we got to where we are today. I found it interesting that with the time-series maps they work best with complex, often changing data. It is the flucuation in data that makes a time-series map interesting. When first starting this section of reading I thought of a timeline being a time-series map, but after finishing the section I feel that it would be categorized as a narrative graphic.

The type of maps that I am most interested in are the narrative graphics of space and time. It is perhaps the 3d quality found in some of the drawings, or how realistic you can become in the drawings that I am drawn to.

As the class continues I am looking forward to learning more about info graphics.