Systems Design : Data Visualization
Develop your own Data Classification System by collecting data from various sources and finally depict your concept on a poster using information visualization.
project Details
The applications aim at providing:
Visual language is, in many ways, our most basic, primal language. People have not always been able to read and write but we have eyes and the inborn ability to interpret images, the visual language medium. An image is a visual representation of a concrete or abstract concept that is perceived and responded to. The image should take into consideration the content of the message, the context in which it is being presented and the people to whom it is to be presented.
Data:
Data is an un-processed collection or representation of raw facts, concepts, or instructions in a manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or by automatic means.
Data Visualization:
The method or end result of transforming numeric and textual information into a graphic format. Visualizations are used to explore large quantities of data holistically in order to understand trends or principles.
We started to analyze each image independently and write what and how the information is being presented. For this we felt that any of the visualization will have different level of information such as primary, secondary and tertiary. In each case there can be one or more primary data or one or more secondary or tertiary data. We defined primary as the information that is being communicated and without which the whole visualization will be almost insignificant. The secondary and tertiary are the information generally there to support the primary information. They allow for a better understanding of the primary data e.g. by giving a background or by providing a context in which the primary data exists. We also did the analysis for the various data representation techniques and attributes being used and jotted down the attributes being used by each of them.
This way an image classification matrix can be formed having two axis respectively that of data visualization technique and types of data. Each image can be placed in this matrix fitting the prerequisites of both the axis points. Ex. A 3 dimensional image can be used to depict process of an organization. The same image can be used to in the cell of position and process if it is fitting the requirements.
We initially started with the data collection phase. This included collection of various types of data visualization images from different sources like books, magazines, internet etc.
We also looked at the present classification system of the images. Eg. Types of Maps, or Types of Charts and graphs etc.
We found out that the classification can be done by keeping in mind 2 important aspects of data visualization.
- Data visualization techniques
- Types of data
The matrix is dynamic in nature as it can be evolved to form a multi dimensional structure. The images can overlap and more new major fields can be added into the matrix accordingly. The general understanding is that no single of these visualizations is effective in all possible situations. Also, many a times, we are required to employ more than one type of visualization to bring out the correct message and relations.
