Assignment 2 - Static Visualization Critique

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Kalen Wong HCDE 511 - Fall 2014 Oct 7, 2014 Assignment 2 - Static Visualization Critique 1.

1 Kalen Wong HCDE Fall 2014 Oct 7, 2014 Assignment 2 - Static Visualization Critique 1. List the source of the visualization (a bibliographic citation is preferred, including the date if you can determine it). Include the creator and what you know of their background. This is a visualization graphic published in the article Missing Malaysia plane MH370: What we know on BBC.com on September 8, 2014 ( The source of the graphic comes from the Malaysian government and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. 2. Who is the intended audience? What is its intended goal or purpose? The intended audience is the general public and/or BBC.com readers who would like to know the facts about the missing Malaysia plane MH370 incident. The goals of this graphic are two, 1) to tell the story of the incident, and 2) to provide facts about the searches that took place. 3. What information does this visualization represent? There is a good amount of information this visualization is presenting. Below are the categories: 1. Geographical locations - The flight s origin, destination, the nearby countries, satellite position relative to these countries, and the location of the authority investigating this incident. 1

2 2. Route information - The expected path of MH370 and the actual path it took before it disappeared. 3. Relative distances - The relative distance between the geographical locations, between the satellite position and the plane, between the satellite position and last signals detected, and between the routes and an imaginary route if plane were to fly in a straight line. 4. Times - The times when different events occurred. 4. How many data dimensions does it encode? Are the encoding mappings appropriate? Here are the data types and the visual attributes that are mapped to: Data Data Type Visual Attributes Examples 1 Geographic locations / countries Nominal Position position on map 2 Geographic locations - plane, cities, satellite signals Nominal Position & shape - city name - satellite location - signal plane location 3 Geographic regions Nominal Color White for land, blue for ocean, and yellow for the impacted country. 4 Search areas Quantity Color, value, & size Search area Priority search area 5 Routes Nominal Lines, texture Flight route in dotted line Suspected path in solid line 6 Distance Quantity Length There is a total of 6 data types that are encoded. Time is the quantity data type that is not encoded in this graph but is indicated in the callouts. 2

3 I think they are encoded appropriately but I see some inconsistencies here that may cause confusions. For example, the initial underwater search location is encoded in an orange dot, whereas two other similar dots are used to indicate a satellite position ( ) and a signal ( ). It is also smaller in size, which is not clear to me what it is communicating. It would have been clearer to differentiate between a signal and a location/position, like the follows: Satellite position - It will be in a square shape because other locations on the graphs are marked as for cities. If there is a need to differentiate this between a physical position on land and in the space, then a new shape should to be introduced instead. Signals detected 5-8 April - It will remain unchanged to indicate location of signals. Initial underwater search - April - It will be a square to indicate a location, and it will share the same size like the others. It should be of a different color because this currently shares the same color with the priority search that took place in June. Even if the designer s intent is to use dots to group satellite and signals together, the indicator initial underwater search should still be in a different shape. 5. List several tasks, comparisons or evaluations it enables. This visualization allows a viewer to: Compare the plane s original route with actual route by shape and distance Compare the distance between any points to an imagery route range of 7 hours Locate the approximate location of where the plane last appeared Locate the satellite position Estimate distances between signals View the scope of searched areas and compare them with not-searched areas Follow the path of where different searches took place and understand the reasons 6. Which of Tufte's principles of excellence best describe why it is good? Tufte s principle of Encourage the eye to compare different pieces of data will describe this visualization the best. This visualization lets a viewer quickly compares many pieces of data, for example, between the routes shapes & distances, between the positions of different locations, and between the signals, satellites, and search positions. Through these comparisons, it is easy for the viewer to compose a complete story - the story of when the incident occurred and what the follow up activities look like. 7. List at least three strengths and three weaknesses of the visualization. Strengths: 1. It serves a clear purpose - the purpose and the conveying message are very clear in this visualization. It tells a good and complete story about the incident and the follow up search effort. 2. Data are encoded appropriately - As pointed out in question #4, the visual attributes are mapped effectively with the data type to communicate the right messages. 3

4 3. Visual aids made information easy to read - A distance scale in both km & miles is provided, a legend with clearly marked variables is used, and there is also a magnified view to show the details of the specific events that occurred. Weaknesses: There are some flaws in the visualizations though they aren t significant. 1. As mentioned in question #4, there are some errors or inconsistencies in the encoding. The same color is used for different searches conducted at different period of time, and one indicator (the orange dot) differs in size without explanation. 2. Some variables are unfortunately missed in the legend. For example, the indicators for satellite position, the airport, and the city locations. 3. At a glance, it is not clear to me why an Australian airport is marked but not any other nearby airports. It also isn t clear to me why the city of Perth is marked like the flight origin and the destination. After looking at the data source, it looks like it might be because Australian Maritime Safety Authority is the partner investigator with the Malaysian government. Even if this might be the reason, I think calling out the city Perth and sharing the same indicator as the origin/destination is not necessary and should be removed. 8. Does the visualization serve its intended purpose, in your opinion? Yes, it does. I think it is very effective and powerful a visualization. It tells a good story and it is very easy to grasp the facts of the incidents and to understand the effort that were being done. 9. Can you suggest any improvements? Several improvements were already mentioned in the answers for question # 4 and #7. To reiterate, I would correct the indicators to make sure they are consistent across, add the missing indicators to the legend, and remove the location indicator for Perth and the airport unless an explanation is given. I would consider adding the exact distance on the expected route to Beijing as opposed to having viewers estimate using the scale. Since the red arc indicates the satellite communication, I would consider changing the satellite position indicator and the signals location to the same color, so one can easily identifies satellite or signal related information. I would also consider deemphasizing the yellow dotted line that scopes the image, because its purpose is to provide reference than to highlight, but it is currently sharing the same color as the search area, and is competing for attention. 10. Why do you like this visualization? Yes, I like it a lot. Aside from the strengths I mentioned earlier, this visualization really draws me to the story and let me understand the facts quickly, without the assistance of the article s content. In this respect, I think the communication is very effective. I also learned quickly about other facts as well, for example, I was not aware of a separated region of Malaysia until I see the yellow encoding on the map. 4

5 Feedback (2 pts) Screenshots/ images of an appropriate visualization included: Really fantastic job on this, including the in-line snippets/figures, and especially the cropped sections in the dimensions table. Amazing job on this! (10 pts) Explicitly addresses questions in the prompt: You did a great job of thoroughly and clearly addressing all of the questions, providing specific examples, and providing a good level of detail to demonstrate your grasp of the course material. Your discussion of the Dimensions as well as your discussion of the Strengths and Weaknesses were excellent. (4 pts) Integration of concepts from the readings and lectures: You did a very good job of providing clear examples and citing specific evidence, and your suggestions for improvement are spot-on. I think you chose an excellent visualization, and were able to successfully apply everything we had learned in class thus far. (4 pts) Originality and quality of analysis: You demonstrated great critical thinking, insight, and application of concepts to generate your critique. Good job. Additional comments: Keep up the great work! 5

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