Information Design; Data Visualization
Data is a main element in our lives today. On our daily lives, we need and use different kinds information in different forms. All the information is created by the data related to that area. In order to reach the information that we need, usually we use the internet where we can find limitless resources. In this limitless source finding the right information or the data is not easy. Usually, to put into the search engines, we use the key words related to information that we need. In the results, we eliminate the one which are related to our need. On the final stage, from all those information, we try to find the most accurate ones. After finding the right data, the process continues with the interpretation. We need data for different purposes, we use the information that we have to reach the main purpose.
For example, as we live in a global pandemic, every day we get the news about the current situation in our countries. Generally, the governments of every country share the numbers daily. Since the beginning of the pandemic In Turkey, every day in a blue chart published by the government we see the number of people who have been infected, have died, the total number of infected people, etc.
For many of us, those numbers are only the indicators of the current situation, we are not able comment on the data. The information that we see on these charts are the indicators of the main problem in our lives. According to that data, on a local scale, the governments decide on their precautions. On a personal scale, according to that data we need to have an idea about the risks that we’re facing in our daily lives.
On the other hand, when we make a research on the global situation of the pandemic, we find some information that can be easily understood.
Both images show us the current situation of the pandemic on a world map where also we can take a look on the numbers of every country. Compared to the chart of Turkey, we can say that these maps are easy to understand. On the first chart, we see the information as it is, indicated by numbers. On the following images, the information is represented by the images and the graphics, so we see the data in another form. We may say that these are the examples of data visualization.
As David Mccandless mentions in his talk, by visualizing data, we see the hidden patterns in it. By looking at the data as it’s original form it is impossible for us to find the connections or the patterns in it. With the help of the images and graphics the data turns into a form which enables us to see the hidden connections. As Mccandless says, the data turns into a form of language of the eye with the help of the patterns, colours and shapes which can also be called as information design. The use of design in information helps to solve the information problems we’re facing. In the COVID 19 example, we see that many of the people in Turkey are not aware of the situation because the information they need is not eloquently presented. But if the data would be designed, the problem would be solved.
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