Visualization and Confusion
August 15, 2009
Visualization of search results or other data is a must-have for presentations in the Department of Defense. What’s a good presentation? One that has killer visualizations of complex data. The problem is that sizzle in one colonel’s graphics triggers a graphics escalation. This is a briefing room version of Mixed Martial Arts. The problem, based on my limited experience in this type of content, is that most of the graphics don’t make much sense. In fact, when I see a graphic I usually have zero idea about where the data originated, the mathematical methods used to generate the visual, or what Photoshop wizardry may have been employed to make that data point explode in my perceptual field. Your mileage may differ, but I find that visualization is useful in small doses.
To prove that what I prefer is out of date and that my views are road kill on the information superhighway, you will want to explore “15 Stunning Examples of Data Visualization”. Stunning is an appropriate word. After looking at these examples, I am not sure what is being communicated in some of these graphics. Example: Big fluctuations.
If you want to add zing to your briefings, you will definitely get some ideas from this article. If I am in the audience, expect questions from the addled goose. Know your data thoroughly because I am not sure some of these examples communicate on the addled goose wave length.
Stephen Arnold, August 14, 2009
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One Response to “Visualization and Confusion”
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Your views are not roadkill on the information superhighway. You identified a real problem that visualization software has to deal with. Your blog reminded me of the work done by Gali Halevi, a Ph.D. candidate at the Palmer school of Library and Information Science in Long Island, NY. A few years ago. Gali recognized that the images/graphics used to represent data in visualization software has no relationship whatsoever to the data being presented. She then proceeded to create a new. simple approach to data visualization that enables the use of meaningful images/graphics to represent data.
After reading your article, I believe Gali’s approach allows for the use of images that communicate data clearly. If anyone at the department of defense or anywhere else is interested, they may contact Gali Halevi at the Palmer School of Library and Information Science in Long Island.
Emeka Akaezuwa