Maps & Visualizations: Finding the Story in Your Data

Karen GregoryMacaulay @ Hunter College

Spring 2013

When To *Not* Use Maps

Do you need to use a map? What can a map do? What can’t it do? What other visualizations may work?

Noah Iliinsky, 2012:http://www.youtube.com/watch v=c6eUyxHGmJ4

Principles of Cartographic Design

Concept before Compilation Hierarchy with Harmony Simplicity with Sacrifice Max Information w/ Min Cost Engage Emotion to Engage Intellect

From British Cartographic Society http://www.gislounge.com/principles-of-cartographic-design/

What is your data?

What have you collected in the process of your research? Census tables? Statistical analysis? Archives (letters, documents, photos etc)? Photos or Video? Interviews? Anecdotes?

We’re looking at tools to explore that data (to find the story), as well as represent the data (to tell the story.)

What is Your Story?

Perhaps you’ve collected a bunch of different data...

What questions have you been asking as you conduct your research? As you look at what you collect?

What story do you think you see there?

How can we tell that story?

In the course of my research, I…

In the course of my research, I looked at…

As I wrote my paper, I came to following conclusions…

The thesis of my paper is… What I would like to convey most

clearly in my presentation is… Do I need visualizations to make this

point?

Data Stories: Public Service

Hurricane Zoning: http://project.wnyc.org/news-maps/hurricane-zones/hurricane-zones.html

Food Deserts: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx#.UWK8fqsjp_k

Data stories: Ethnography & Cultural Meaning

Mapping Memories of Manhattan: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/04/02/mapping-manhattan-becky-cooper/

We Feel Fine: http://www.wefeelfine.org/movements.html

Data Stories: Extending our Senses

Walking through History: http://www.walkingthroughtime.co.uk/?page_id=59

Auditory Maps: http://www.mapcite.com/posts/2013/april/developing-auditory-maps-for-the-blind.aspx

Tools: Google Maps

Simple, straightforward mapping. To show location, social space or

distance. Can also add in photos and media

http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/products/

Wordpress Plugin: http://www.mapsmarker.com/

Tools: Social Explorer

Easy access to demographic data and maps: http://www.socialexplorer.com/pub/home/home.aspx

Tools: Google Fusion Tables

For finding public data and merging data sets:

Will also create visualizations and maps http://support.google.com/fusiontables/answer/2571232?hl=en

Tools: Google Sketch Up

3d animation:

http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/laxmi/planning-projects/the-hole-a-border-between-brooklyn-and-queens/

Tools: Timelines

Verite: http://timeline.verite.co/

My Histro (timeline map )http://www.myhistro.com/

History Pin: http://www.historypin.com/projects/

Additional Resources

Flowing Data: http://flowingdata.com/