Tag: theory

  • The Future of Data Visualisation

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    Brendan Barry
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    Okay, we have all watched enough science fiction to know that there is not one future, but multiple futures. All options existing as if taken in parallel universes. Today’s post is not about a specific graphic, but rather a short article in the New York Times examining data visualisation. Through the work of Eric Rodenbeck…

  • Infographics and Digital Posters

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    Brendan Barry
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    Today is the odd day where I don’t have an actual graphic to share, but rather one of those abstract theory wishy washy brainheady thinky things. It’s an article in Fast Co. that discusses an essay written by Kim Rees and Dino Citraro wherein they define the concept of digital poster. Think big, vertical, scrolly…

  • Maps Are Not Silver Bullets

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    Brendan Barry
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    I make a lot of maps in my line of work. Often times, they are not particularly interesting. Mostly because they follow similar patterns to this. More stuff is bought and sold where there are more people. More stuff is bought and sold where more people have more money. Et cetera, et cetera. Maps are…

  • Venn Diagrams. Let’s Go Back to Grade School.

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    Brendan Barry
    in ,

    Last week Mitt Romney’s campaign released a series of infographic adverts. They were Venn Diagrams with messages attacking President Obama by highlighting what the Romney campaign called gaps between what the president has said he would do and what he has in fact done. The problem with these is that they are all wrong. Do…

  • Pie Charts v Bar Charts, Round…Some Really High Number

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    Brendan Barry
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    Not strictly a commentary on a piece or project, instead, this is a link to an interesting opinion piece about the Great Infographic Debate, i.e., most loosely and least helpfully, substance vs. style, vis-a-vis the use of pie charts and such vs. bar charts. Where does one draw the line between clear communication and, frankly, just…

  • Growing Pains

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    Brendan Barry
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    This piece comes from my coworker, Ben, who found the graphic in Scientific American. Broadly speaking the piece is looking at the obese and the overweight in the United States, comparing the numbers of both children and adults in 1980 to 2008. These numbers are supplemented by the risk of death posed to both men…

  • Clerks. And Not the Death Star Discussing Type.

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    Brendan Barry
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    The New York Times has a story about the clerks supporting the Supreme Court justices. And how, surprisingly, the Supreme Court is polarised. Truly surprising considering how unpolarised—or would it be depolarised—the remaining two branches of government are these days. Sarcasm aside, the staff at the Times put together a diagram to explain the polarity.…

  • And How Should I Begin?

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    Brendan Barry
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    I have measured out my life with coffee spoons… —T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Modern life in the Western world revolves around data that then becomes misinformation, disinformation, or, more rarely, information. In theory, we use this information to inform our decision-making process and then live fitter, happier lives. (Please hold…