Assignment 5: Color Seek and Find

by Mike Gleicher on March 9, 2012

For this assignment, you need to find an example of a visualization on the web. Unlike last time, when you just had to find a visualization that related to class concepts, this time, you need to find one that does something more specific:

  • Find a visualization that uses color to display a “data dimension.” (that is, color is used to encode some information)

In your description, explain what information is being encoded in color, and your thoughts on how effective the use of color is in the visualization.

The ground rules are similar to the last seek and find exercise:

Find a visualization, preferably on the web (so you can give a link to it). Preferably one that can be conveyed well in a small picture that represents data of interest to you (especially if you work in some domain). Preferably one that is different than what other people have given.

Grab a snapshot of the visualization (as a picture like a PNG or JPEG – you may need to use screen capture and then edit it). In addition to linking to the visualization, we want you to post a picture. Please make sure the picture isn’t too big (if you upload a big picture, it even uses bandwidth if you show it at small size).  We want the picture by itself so we can see it without following the link to where its from, and to see it out of context).

When you attach your picture to the Piazza question, make sure that you use a filename that includes your name (enough so we know who posted what). Embed a small version of the image into your posting, and a link to where the picture came from.

Your posting should explain what the creator of the visualization is trying to do with color, and your thoughts on how effective this usage is (based on the principles we learned in class).

This assignment is due on Wednesday, March 14th.

The Piazza page is here.

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