Due: Fri, Oct 27 (Cutoff:Fri, Nov 03)
Canvas Link: Seek and Find 8: Name that Encoding! (and change it) on CanvasGeneral Instructions: See the seek and find assignment rules
Specific Instructions (Discussion Prompt):
Seek and Find 8: Name that Encoding! (and change it)
For this seek and find, you need to find a visualization (subject to the usual rules). Like last time, you need to identify the data (and describe it abstractly). And then you need to describe how the data is encoded visually – what variables are mapped to what visual channels. And finally, you need to suggest a different encoding.
So, in the description, please:
- Describe the data used to make the visualization. Try to describe it both specifically, but also in terms of the data abstractions. What are the key variables, and what are their properties?
- Describe the encodings used to map the data to visual channels. Be as specific as you can.
- Suggest an alternative encoding. It’s OK if the one you pick isn’t as good as the original, especially if the original is good – but it should be plausible. If you want to sketch it, great, but otherwise a description is fine.
- Compare the encodings (the original and yours) – can you identify pros and cons of each?
Our discussions of perception should give you ideas on how to assess encodings.
