FYS 103a:
Thinking with Visualization
Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Visualization Critiques Assignment
Due: Feb 8, Mar 1, Mar 15, 2007
Project Description
Write a critical analysis of two visualization examples, one you believe to
be effective and one you believe to be bad.
Each critique should include a citation describing its source,
including publication name, author/artist (if available), date, and page.
Be prepared to present your critiques to the class for group analysis.
Bring a copy (hard or soft) of your image to show the class.
What to discuss
Each analysis should be between a half and a full page of prose (whole sentences and
paragraphs) and should address the following issues:
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What is this image trying to accomplish?
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How effective do you judge this visualization to be? Why?
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What are the most noticeable elements of the visualization? Are they the most
important?
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Is there essential information missing?
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Are there elements which carry no information?
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Are colors used effectively?
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How could this visualization be improved? Offer specific suggestions.
Where to look
Look in any publication that communicates large amounts of information. Mass market
science publications are a good bet (Science, Science News, Scientific American).
Newspapers (especially USA Today) are possibilities.
Lots of interesting visualizations are available on
the web. For those, print a black and white copy and include a URL. Be creative.