Pictures are worth a 1,000 words and in this class we explore ideas, tool and resources for creating your own charts, graphs and visualizations to display information in a more meaningful, less textual way.
From the Libraries:
- Simply Map: An Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables.
- American Factfinder: Find raw census data in addition to graphical and thematic maps of census statistics.
Raw Data
- Open Austin Data: Open datasets from the City of Austin.
- Data.gov: Raw and analyzed data sets from organizations across the government.
- Texas.gov: Open data from departments from of the Texas government, including Labor and Career Information, Transportation, and more.
- Statistical Abstract: authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
Data Aggregators
- Wolfram|Alpha: a computation knowledge engine that enables user input to compare statistics across the disciplines; in some instances will also map or compute information in chart or graphic form.
- Visualizing.org: A partnership between GE and a dozen academic institutions that encourages and provides data sharing across the disciplines.
- Many Eyes: A statistical website that provides data sets and visualizations of data. Also allows and encourage users to upload their own data. Funded by IBM..
- Google Public Data Explorer: Use publicly available data to compare information visually.
Your Own Data
- Google Fusion Tables: Upload found or self-created data and use Google's tools to visualize it.
- Your.Flowingdata: Aggregate and map your own data with this website and a Twitter account!
Websites:
Books:
Key texts from Edward Tufte:
Other Books:
- Visual Economies: http://www.visualeconomics.com
- Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical Graphics, and Data Visualization: http://www.datavis.ca/milestones/
- Information Aesthetics: http://infosthetics.com/
- Flowing Data: http://flowingdata.com/
- Information is Beautiful: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/
- Good Magazine: http://www.good.is/infographics
Books:
Key texts from Edward Tufte:
- Tufte, E. R. (2006). Beautiful Evidence. Cheshire, Conn: Graphics Press.
- Tufte, E. R. (2006). The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint: Pitching Out Corruptswithin (2nd ed.). Cheshire, Conn: Graphics Press LLC.
- Tufte, E. R. (2001). The Visual Display of Quantitative Information (2nd ed.). Cheshire, Conn: Graphics Press.
Other Books:
- Yau, N. (2011). Visualize This: The FlowingData Guide to Design, Visualization, and Statistics. Indianapolis, Ind: Wiley Pub.
- Wong, D. M. (2010). The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics: The Dos and Don'ts of Presenting Data, Facts, and Figures (1st ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
- George-Palilonis, J., & Ebooks Corporation Limited. (2006). A Practical Guide to Graphics Reporting Information Graphics for Print, Web and Broadcast. Burlington: Elsevier.
Say It With Infographics PDF
Updated 2/14/2013
*contact me if you would like the full PowerPoint presentation
Direct Link to Candy Data in ManyEyes
(for use in making data visualization); you'll need to create an account.
Updated 2/14/2013
*contact me if you would like the full PowerPoint presentation
Direct Link to Candy Data in ManyEyes
(for use in making data visualization); you'll need to create an account.
The Knight Center for Journalism has just released its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) taught by Alberto Cairo. Indiana Univeristy has also released a MOOC on Info Visualization taught by KAty Boerner.
Ask Yourself:
- Are your variables consistent?
- Is the scale appropriate?
- What’s the context?
- What happens if you add more variables?
- Where is the data coming from?
- And remember to always cite your graphics!
... because statistics don't always have to be serious:
- Cool Infographics: infographics from all places and spaces.
- The Infographics Showcase: critiques the content, visual style and execution of the graphical design.
- This is Indexed: hand-drawn and simple infographics.
Cindy Fisher
cynthfisher@austin.utexas.edu // 495-4333
cynthfisher@austin.utexas.edu // 495-4333
