Why map projections are necessary but imperfect, plus clarifications about spatial data and chart types that include the word “map” even though they don’t display spatial information.
Posts By: Lisa Waananen Jones
Lesson: Maps and Cartography
This week we’re focusing on a type of visualization you probably have lots of experience with: maps. We all use maps in our everyday lives, but making maps requires thinking about them differently.
Mapping Point Data
In this assignment, we’ll use Google apps to map all the businesses with liquor licenses in Whitman County, which is home to WSU’s Pullman campus.
Making a Cartogram
In this assignment, you’ll use several web tools and Illustrator to create a cartogram about national Google search data. Making a Cartogram 1. Google Trends is a way to view what people are searching for on Google. You can enter any word or phrase to see how searches for that particular word or phrase have… Read more »
Basic Charts in Illustrator
In this assignment, you’ll revisit data about enrollment at WSU campuses to remake charts using Adobe Illustrator instead of Google Sheets.
Food Consumption Pictogram
How much does the average American eat in a year? In this assignment, you’ll interpret federal government data on food availability and create a pictogram to show how Americans’ food consumption has changed over time.
Midterm Presentations
It’s time to hear from all of you! Please watch each of the short midterm presentations from other students in the class.
Midterm Comparison Project
In this midterm project, you’ll compare and assess examples of professional information graphics based on a theme, then present your findings to the class.
Lesson: Beauty in Data Visualization
What is the role of beauty in data visualization? We’ll hear from David McCandless, whose ideas often contrast with those of Edward Tufte, and consider what is meant by “beautiful” data.
Lesson: Professional Community
As you analyze examples of professional graphics for your assignment this week, it’s a good opportunity to broadly look at how data visualization works in news and other industries.