Ideation
After obtaining my dataset, I started to sketch out potential designs for the data-visualization. An approach I took was that even though it is just a sketch, to try and approximate the data in the sketch so that I could see how much the data fluctutuates. Another thing I needed to consider was if the design was realistic to create with me knowledge of Processing.
Miscellaneous sketches & formulas for polar coordinate codes (with the help of my dad)
Exploration & Data Glitches
Exploring various shapes and forms to visualize the data-set. Some explorations even came out as an accident, aka Data Glitches. For more information on data glitches as inspiration, check out @dataglitches.
Processing Explorations
Feature Prioritization
The MoSCoW Method — used as a tool to determine the prioritization of elements — enables me to focus my time on more vital elements of the visualization. Since coding with Processing is new to me, this was an important step so that I do not spend too much of my time on minor details without consolidating the important interactions.
Final Visualization
This final design answers: (a) what the top rated albums are, (b) what is the most popular genres for the albums, and (c) the artists that created these albums. The data visualization artwork is illustrated through its own musical album. The programs use of filtering and hovering gives a more in-depth look than what a printed piece would be able to do.
Final Visualization with different numbers of data points
Screen recording of the final visualization
Reflection & Takeaways
Overall, the project challenged my Processing skills to create a visualization working with polar coordinates and quadratics. I am happy that the initial design concept did not need to be changed due to a lack of coding knowledge, as I was able to overcome certain mathematical obstacles with the help of peers.
Some next steps that I would like to impliment in the design is (a) being able to filter by ranking number and (b) when the user hovers over an album, all other albums with the same artist would be highlighted.
As well, there are a couple bugs in the program that I was not able to correct. The first would be that the type looks a little distorted at small sizes. I had tried to use different typefaces or importing the typefaces differently, but nothing seemed to work. Another issue would be the slight lag when using the filter drop-down. The user needs to hit a specific spot for the filter to work, which does not make it very user friendly as people may think that it is not working.
Some next steps that I would like to impliment in the design is (a) being able to filter by ranking number and (b) when the user hovers over an album, all other albums with the same artist would be highlighted.
As well, there are a couple bugs in the program that I was not able to correct. The first would be that the type looks a little distorted at small sizes. I had tried to use different typefaces or importing the typefaces differently, but nothing seemed to work. Another issue would be the slight lag when using the filter drop-down. The user needs to hit a specific spot for the filter to work, which does not make it very user friendly as people may think that it is not working.