Data visualisation evolves with archive fever and is used to express visual elements of information which has been abstracted in some schematic form. Moreover, the production of data-based images acts as sensory signals of invisible phenomenon. Data visualisation aims to communicate a visual register not only with images but with lines, dots and shapes. According to Friedman (2008) the “main goal of data visualization is to communicate information clearly and effectively through graphical means….to convey effectively, both aesthetic form and functionality need to go hand in hand.” Data Visualization
Two great examples of data visualization relating to media is Narratives 2.0 that visualizes music by differentiating music tracks into single channels that are shown in a fan like- structure:
Also, LivePlasma aims to assist your search to discover other musicians or movies. All you need to do is type in the name of a band, artist, movie, director or actor and this software show you related people, bands or movies:
Furthermore, the purpose of data visualization is to discover the unknown by making something invisible visible. Images need to convey messages that structure new relationships that communicate meanings and ultimately make sense of a wide range of both qualitative and quantitative data. Good data visualization should appear as if it is a work of art. This intrigues the viewer and draws them in so that they can further investigate the data and information that the graphics represent.
In a recent visualization project, I was interested to discover the hidden kilojoules in fast food burgers. Specifically, I wanted to compare the highest number of kilojoules across five of the most popular fast food franchises, namely; McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, KFC, Oporto and Subway. However, the project needed a second piece of data to make a comparison.
The first stage of our research involved an understanding of the recommended daily intake of kilojoules is for adults. According to the NSW Food Authority 8700kJ is an average of the daily energy intake of an Australian adult. It’s the total intake of energy needed from all food and drink consumed for a whole day. However, this piece of information in itself is not common knowledge and therefore the NSW Food Authority expresses this data in the following pie-graph:
In addition, the amount of kilojoules the average fast-food consumer may digest in one meal is also unknown. Therefore, the second stage of the project involved researching the highest number of kilojoules each franchise had to offer. In order for consumers to visually interpret this data, the objective of the visualization was to present these two pieces of information to consumers. Firstly, against one another in the following bar graph:
Secondly, a pie-graph was constructed to illustrate the percentage of kilojoules each burger contained against the recommended daily intake:
Therefore, based on the statistical data presented, one ultimate whooper burger will eat up almost 60% of your daily consumption. Although the nutritional information for each of these burgers is listed on the packaging, both the bar graph and pie chart shown here, illustrate an effective method of communicating the information across to consumers. Interestingly, the NSW Government has introduced laws for nutrition labelling of foods and drinks from larger ‘fast food’ and snack food chains and franchises. Moreover, from February 2012 NSW Laws , fast food franchises must display the kilojoule values for foods on their menu boards. In addition, outlets must also display the average daily intake for Australian adults; which we now know 8700kJ.
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