DESIGNING WITH DATA
"Can You Hear Me?"
"Can You Hear Me?"
“What about confusing clutter? Information overload? Doesn't data have to be "boiled down" and "simplified"? These common questions miss the point, for the quantity of detail is an issue completely separate from the difficulty of reading. Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.”
Edward R. Tufte - Envisioning Information
Edward R. Tufte - Envisioning Information
When utilised in a design context, data can be thought of as a medium for creation.
This project looks to explore the practice of data visualisation, a technique used to communicate data or information by encoding it as visual objects contained in graphics. The main goal is to communicate information clearly and efficiently to users. This idea shows its link to design as it looks to intertwine form and function successfully. Data Visualisation is said to be a natural continuation of Visual Communication.
Specifically using open data provided by the ABS on homelessness in Australia. By taking numbers presented in a spreadsheet, and re-presenting them in a visual and sonic matter to the public, we can further highlight issues that are occurring within our community.
project design process
After selecting a context for the project, centred around homelessness in Australia, I began to search a number of databases that would contain the information needed for the project. I came across an ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) spreadsheet containing a number of different parameters focusing on different aspects of homelessness. I decided to filter this data, and focus on a small section, showing the number of homeless people in each state, and what category of homelessness they identify with. I chose this section based on a belief that the public's perception of homelessness is very narrow, and that there are other variants that need to be highlighted.
filtered data
After understanding the context and filtering the data, I began to sketch ideas for how the data could be visually represented, and testing how the data sounded through the sonification tool. I played with the idea of a simple map using colours, and sounds that were based on sine waves.
design process for utilising data
I further refined these ideas by developing a digital sketch, combining the idea of a map of Australia, and a floor plan of a house. I moved away from the simple sine wave, and use an ominous string sample to convey a more emotional side to the data being presented. These amalgamated into an animated prototype that can be further developed visually, and through interaction.
