Assignment – Visualization Online Tools
Checklist – visualizations
- The selected graph is the best option for representing this data
- All numbers double-checked
- Spell check
- Headline/title
- Correct units of measurement
- Description of what the x- and y-axis represent
- Y-axis starts at 0 (If not: Is it clearly shown? Does the editor agree?)
- Conscious choice of colours (explained on request)
- Source
- Instructions for use (if the graph is interactive)
- Context or explanation (if necessary)
- Byline
- Accessibility (contrast, caption for screen readers, attached table etc) (explained on request)
- Understandable for someone who sees the visualization for the first time (show it to someone outside the newsroom)
- The visualization checked on a mobile device
As stated above both visualizations have been created with DATAWRAPPER -
In order to create a clear explanatory visualization that grabs the attention of the reader and succeeds to quickly engage and inform the audience, I have chosen the color red in both cases.
The choice of color the same color would also add coherence if both graphics would pertain to the same article, creating a visual relationship.
In the first case I have chosen a line chart as it exposes a change over time. In the second case I have chosen a column chart as it shows an amount
" Change over Time: Give emphasis to changing trends. These can be short (Intra-day) movements or extended series traversing decades or centuries: Choosing the correct time period is important to provide suitable context for the reader.
Magnitude: Show size comparisons. These can be relative (just being able to see larger/bigger) or absolute (need to see fine differences). Usually these show a ‘counted’ number (for example, barrels,dollars or people) rather than a calculated rate or per cent."
- Alan Smith in his book How Charts Work
Questions
Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
Yes
Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colors using the tool?
It was easy to change the colours.
Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
Specially Labels I found complicated,
Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
Datawraper is not flexible tool, lacks options and manipulation tools. I could make changes to the chart without having previous experience. It is a basic and not advanced tool.
Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
Not very accessible
Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
The charts has a smartphone version which is still visible and clear as the website version.
Questions
Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
Yes
Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colors using the tool?
Hard to fin the option that changes the color of specific sections and labels but overall a beginner so might get better as I learn to use the tool
Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
Hard to find sections, so many of them, do no really understand what each does. A bit less intiuitive than datawrapper also double the options, a bit more advanced which I enjoyed
Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
Flexible but needs some level of training to get to know it fully, through practice probably.
Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
Accessible
Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
Also smartphone version adaptable, overall the same, only changed the size of it.
Comparison
In what context do you think Datawrapper is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
For simple graphics, maybe with a lot of data, having less options could be useful
What are the main benefits of using Datawrapper?
Simplicity
In what context do you think Flourish is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
If the purpose is to create an attention catching graph and coherent with a newspapers or articles aesthetic design. It is a way to guarantee and perfect the style.
What are the main benefits of using Flourish?
A more developed tool, more options, a more advanced graph
Which of the tools do you personally prefer so far?
Flourish