Assignment 3 Visualization Critique

JOUR 479D/779D
Assignment #3: Visualization Critique

Out: November 2, 2015
Due: November 16, 2015

Overview. The goal of this assignment is to develop and practice a critical eye towards data visualization. You will select a data visualization from the news media and write a ~750-1000 word critique including appropriate illustrations or screenshots to make your points.

Getting Started. You can get warmed up by reading an example, or two, or three of a visualization critique. You can learn more about the context of visualization criticism in this blog post by Robert Kosara and in this post by Viégas and Wattenberg. Now find a recent example of a news visualization from an outlet like the Guardian, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, or Bloomberg, which has enough depth to make for an interesting and challenging critique. Do not select something that is a single static chart, but rather choose an example with some complexity. If you’re not sure, send a link (nad@umd.edu) and I’ll let you know if it’s appropriate.

How is the visualization a success or a failure? In your critique be sure to assess the range of design choices you observe such as the use of color, visual representations and encodings, accuracy of data or visual representations, data quality, use of space (e.g. gestalt laws) or ordering and architecture of information, the effectiveness of use of labels, annotations and other context, interactivity and navigation, and usability. For usability you may also consider applying a heuristic usability test as discussed in class and detailed in readings and include observations of that in your write-up. For all of these dimensions try to think of and discuss possible solutions or avenues for improving the work. Remember that your critique should be driven by evidence and design principles and is not about your taste or opinion; be sure to rationalize your observations.

Crucially, you should consider what appears to be the intent of the visualization: is it explanatory, exploratory, a mix of the two? What is the story that the author(s) appear to be trying to convey?

Other questions that may guide your critical analysis:

• Was the visualization well-edited, does it clarify and make a strong point, or is it more diffuse? Does it adhere to Tufte’s principles of graphic integrity?
• Was space used well: are labels positioned intuitively, does the layout flow, does it feel crowded?
• Is the visualization ethical or deceptive? What is its tone: is it playful, pragmatic, emotional, something else?
• Is the design visually and aesthetically appealing?
• How easy was the visualization to understand? Did it immediately make sense or demand in-depth study?
• Is there anything that might have been omitted from the display?
• Does the visualization show sequence and causality to build a story?

Your critique will be evaluated according to your consideration of a diverse set of design and usability criteria, the appropriate use and application of design rationale, contextualization and explanation of the apparent intent and story portrayed, and the overall clarity of the write-up.

Extra Credit. For up to 5 additional points on the assignment (which is graded out of 100). Consider different emotional appeals that the visualization might make (e.g. sad, angry, disgusted, happy, surprised, fearful). Think about how you would use color, space, iconography, text, framing, interactivity, or animation to convey and focus on just one of those emotions in the visualization. Provide an annotated mockup of your re-envisioned visualization and write an additional ~300 words describing your redesign and why it meets your stated design goal.

Submission. Note: This is an individual assignment and you may NOT work in groups. All work should be your own.

Your should submit your critique as ~750-1000 words including screenshots to help illustrate your points. Mail a PDF (filename of “ASGN3_<lastname>.pdf”) of your write-up to Professor Diakopoulos: nad@umd.edu before class on the due date.