Andrew+M+R02

The Reading, Writing and Income map we looked at today was an example information design overload. The map presented very interesting comparisons but the use of three discrete data sets that, when combined, produce an output of thousands or millions of colors was too much for me to think about. As much as I enjoy direct comparisons and overlays, I also like to control how many information sources I am engaging with at any given moment. The ability to toggle specific demographics would allow the ability to bring the noise down to a level the can cope with. As for me in particular, viewing only two combined overlays at a time would have been much more readable because the color mixing of only two sources would have produced a more limited output that I could recognize faster.

Our reading also introduced how overlays are useful and can reveal “hidden” data that would be otherwise overlooked. The image of multiple black circles with a rectangle is a good example of overlay or how arrangement can reveal hidden data. The circles with their grey wedges could be seen as an overlay or could be arranged in such a way that an apparent rectangle is created. This example illustrates that depending on how visual elements are arranged can determine what information we can extract from them; had these circles not been arranged as such, the rectangle would never become apparent or maybe after arranging them in this order, it becomes a distraction as the rectangular shape could itself be noise.

The 1 + 1 = 3 rule shows that the arrangement of visual elements and the space directly around them can distort a graphical presentation. This rule not only keeps data from becoming distorted but also inadvertently makes data more desirable to read. Stark contrast of black and white is always very loud and sometimes feels threatening; even fully saturated colors, while eye catching from a far, can become overpowering on close examination. When creating a graphic, immediately using black, white or fully saturated colors limits an artist. These colors mark the end of a palette, once you’ve used black you’ve effectively said that you will go no further, as there is nothing darker than black, the same can be said for saturated colors as red can only get so red. Starting in the middle and leaving room for the unknowns and last minutes will always save you from having to go back and reorganized your palette.

The simplest yet most effective example was the train schedule, where the grid lines overpower the data. Often we become so concerned with organizing the data that we forget the data could potentially organize itself. The flush left edge of a paragraph naturally creates a straight, vertical line while data such as time in the form of hours and minutes will always occupy the same space, producing a natural grid when in table form. Taking this into consideration, the designer can sometimes forgo the need to separate data with line and color that could ultimately become noise and could instead play off the inherent figure ground relationship already present.

...I duno if this class will be complete without a Hans Rosling video.