Assignment 1: Datawrapper
A. Created a line chart (see below)
Above I have created a line chart where I have integrated additional information (i.e., metadata) to visualize the number of operational nuclear reactors worldwide between 1954 - 2023. I believe a line chart is a suitable visualization for showcasing the data because it helps to show a trend over time in one look.
I have chosen a lighter grey tone for the chart to match my idea of nuclear energy (industrial and abstract), but also to convey this heavy topic more gently perhaps. For the title and subtitle, I took some elements recommended by Alan Smith in the book How Charts Work: keep the chart self-sufficient and therefore completely clear what the data is showing (p 247). Also, the x and y axis seem clearly defined and understandable. I also marked the beginning (i.e., 1) because it helps the reader to better understand where it starts.
I have asked someone who doesn't know a thing about this assignment to see if they could understand the chart and walk me through it. Conclusion: the chart was clear and could stand on its own.
B. Created a bar chart (see below)
Above I have created a bar chart where I have also integrated additional information (i.e., metadata) to visualize the number of reactors in the countries: Iran, and the U.S.A. Mexico, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Korea, South Africa, United Arab Emirates.
Here, I have chosen to create a bar chart and not a column chart because that did not seem to be the right type of visualization for this data. The countries were written in a way where you had to tilt your head and that made it more difficult to read. Also, if you look at the website of PRIS itself they use a double bar chart to visualize the number of reactors and the electrical capacity, which works well. The colors, grid, lines, title, and subtitles (together with the additional description below) I felt all added to making the chart stand on its own and be easy to read and therefore understand.
Again, I have asked someone who doesn't know a thing about this assignment to see if they could understand the chart and walk me through it. Conclusion: the chart was clear and could stand on its own.
C. Answer the following questions. Write the answers in your post.
Keep the questions in mind, as they will serve as a helpful guide for you in the future:
Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
I could access the charts easily from my smartphone. They appear similarly on the phone as they do on the computer. What I do notice, however, is that the information of course becomes more condensed on the tiny screen so the text is smaller and makes it less inviting to read. Perhaps this has to do with the formatting I have chosen. Since I was working from a laptop I didn't switch to mobile device format or the tablet.
Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
Yes. I used them more as a check for myself during the process of creating the charts. In my short description tried to talk about the relevant and important choices I made. Just to show that I have reflected on these matters whilst creating the visualization. Some steps were not relevant at this point (like accessibility or instruction for use per se).
Colors: How easy or difficult is changing colors using the tool?
Fairly easy, but the color range seems limited to me. You could change the range of colors, but still, they seem limited to me.
Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
I find it fairly easy to work with the text and labels now. In the beginning, I found it a bit more tricky, but I understood that that was because I assumed there was more possible than there was. That meant I spent a long time looking for functions that existed in the line chart function but don't exit when you create a bar chart. This brought me back to the point Helena mentioned in her lectures: you have to keep in mind that each tool has different functions depending on what you are trying to create.
Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
Sometimes, I do find myself wishing that certain changes I wish to be able to make easier, like putting in an arrow and changing its position simply by dragging my curser. At the same time, I do think this forces you to keep the design simple and clean and ensure that all that is necessary is there. Nothing more and nothing less. Perhaps that is enough and serves the purpose of a visualization.
Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
As mentioned above, I think there are several accessibility options provided by the tool: light/dark mode, different color schemes for color blindness, and format changes for different devices. A point of improvement would then be to be able to click multiple options for visualization to ensure that readers on all platforms can comfortably access it (to be able to have the format for mobile phones AND computers, for example, depending on the device that is used).
Assignment 2: Flourish
A. Created a line chart (see below)
Above I have created a line chart using Flourish. I have made this line chart a little different from the one with Datawrapper, mostly in terms of color scheme. This was because this tool had easier functionalities to play around with colors, text, and contrast. The main reason for the choice of color here is because I think the contrast of the color with the background here makes it easier to read (and a little more fun with the bright pink as a color for the line). Also, the axes are a little better defined by labeling them here. I don't think that the one with Datawrapper is less clear, but I do believe that this function helps to elevate and make the chart even more clear. Perhaps, it would come down to the taste and preferences of the journalist/editor in reality (not necessarily the quality).
I have asked someone who doesn't know a thing about this assignment to see if they could understand the chart and walk me through it. Conclusion: the chart was a bit more clear, because of the contrast of the black background with the bright pink line. They did state that this is more a matter of preference and personal taste and not so much of actual difference in the clarity of the meaning of the charts.
B. Created a bar chart (see below)
Just like exercise 1, above I have created a bar chart where I have also integrated additional information (i.e., metadata) to visualize the number of reactors in the countries: Iran, and the U.S.A. Mexico, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Korea, South Africa, United Arab Emirates.
For the same reasons as mentioned in exercise 1, in my view, the bar chart works best for the visualization of this data set. I have used a similar color scheme as I did with Datawrapper, but the Flourish chart is a bit softer in color. This wasn't for a specific reason other than my personal preference for the colors available with Flourish. I think it complements the background and works well.
For this chart too, I have asked someone who doesn't know a thing about this assignment to see if they could understand the chart and walk me through it. Conclusion: the chart was clear and could stand on its own. No significant difference was observed between both bar charts with the different tools in their opinion.
C. ) Answer the following questions (yes, once again!). Write the answers in your post:
Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
Yes, I have. In the same fashion as I have mentioned above: I used the steps as a back-up to check my work and see if I missed something. Where I have made particular choices I have tried describing them in my short description mentioned below each exercise. Some steps were not relevant at this point (like accessibility or instruction for use per se).
Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colours using the tool?
It was fairly easy to change the colors. That made it inviting to switch up my color scheme with the same data in this tool.
Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
It was also really easy to add new labels or text to the charts. What I struggled with a bit was trying to remove some labels in the beginning. But that was just a matter of getting familiar with the tool and trying to make it logical in my head to know how to follow the different steps provided by the tool.
Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
Very flexible. It is really easy to change things up, but sometimes a bit confusing, especially in the beginning. I think this has to do with the large amount of possibilities provided by the tool. It takes some time to get used to it and know where everything is. After that, it gets easier to change things.
Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
The tool provides a screen reader description and label for visually impaired people (I assume, they mentioned it as clearly as with the Datawrapper tool). Other than that, I have not seen other options for accessibility enhancements.
Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
The line chart appears the same as they do on my computer. The font and scale of the charts make it a bit easier to also read on my phone. However, the scale I chose for the line chart with Flourish is a bit dragged so it is a bit too large and less convenient to have on your smartphone.
The bar chart, however, is a bit distorted. The words on the Y-axis are merging into each other making it difficult to read on the phone.
Assignment 3: Comparison
Now you have four charts made with two different tools.
Open your post (WordPress) on a smartphone and take a look at all the charts.
In your post: Answer the following questions based on your experience:
In what context do you think Datawrapper is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
I think Datawrapper is a really good tool if you have a specific format in mind in which you want your visualizations to be seen. For example, the tool offers a clear formatting option for the different digital devices: phone, tablet, and computer. However, it does not seem like you can choose multiple formatting options: if you want it to be read on your computer for it to have a specific format and if you also want it to be read on a mobile device.
Also, the tool is a bit limited in my view in terms of color scheme and additional labeling options.
I would have to either simplify my visualization or find another tool if I have a complex visualization that needs additional features to be able to stand on its own.
What are the main benefits of using Datawrapper?
It is fairly easy to use to create quick and simple visualizations. Also, they offer a wide range of accessibility features for different types of readers who might be visually impaired.
In what context do you think Flourish is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
What are the main benefits of using Flourish?
I think Flourish offers a wide range of features to elevate your visualization easily. They offer a lot of color schemes, labeling functions, possibility to switch the position of many of the labels (which could be handy if the normal position of a label is distracting because of other text). However, not all visualizations seem to work on the phone in the same way as they do on the laptop. In that case, I would have to make sure if that is the case and what I can do to change it (perhaps just change the format manually through the functions offered).
In terms of accessibility and formatting, I would say Flourish is limited. They don't offer a lot of functions and I would rather struggle to ensure the quality of the visualization for certain readers (e.g., visually impaired or readers who only use one type of device).
Which of the tools do you personally prefer so far?
Flourish! I like the variety of options. However, I did not like the order in which the different functions were listed (with the headers, etc down). It made it a bit confusing to get the structure and basic visual aspect of the chart right in the beginning.