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Assignment Design and Exploration | |
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Assignment 2: Data Categorisation and Modeling Data Categorization was the task that the whole group was plunged into from the very first day of engagement. The discussions on the taxonomy of data and data visualization were followed up by a quick assignment of collection of interesting and significant examples of data visualization from the various graphics and scientific books in the NID library. Student teams were encouraged to search and supplement images and diagrams, maps and models from Internet based sources as well and they three teams were asked to share these resources if required to form the base data from which the assignment and analysis could be undertaken. Each of the three groups was to try and organize the total data collected into a meaningful structure through a process of classification that would follow intuitive categories that made sense to each group respectively. They could coin terms if required and if required leave an empty slot for a missing image that they predicted or knew existed, but did not have a prototype in hand for the assignment. They were then expected to build a composite model of their classification showing the similarities and differences between that data types that they had discovered and in this assignment they were asked to assign attributes and categories apriori and through a process of brain-storming and debate, and not to follow any one authority to justify their choices and classification. The resulting model with a chosen prototype of each category of data visualization type was to be made into a poster as a printable artwork using appropriate software that they were familiar with. Most used Corel Draw or Illustrator to do the artwork and then converted the composite into PDF for printing at high resolution. Each group came up with completely different classifications and made a compelling presentation at the end of the project. Each student was asked to reflect on the exercise and write an email on his or her experience and process to the teachers to facilitate evaluation of the learning. The resultant posters showed many ways in which the taxonomy of these diagrams could be approached and represented, and no single approach is the final answer, as in all cases of design. Assignment 3: Data Capture: Field to Models Representing live data from the field was the topic of the next assignment. The students were required to work in teams and three different contexts and needs were articulated in consultation with the teacher. The tasks required them to conduct field work and visit sites to start capturing data from the field using many techniques of observation and recording, find a meaningful task for data representation in that particular context and to apply their skills to this task and create a representation that met the objective. Three groups were asked to look for design opportunities in three different milieus and the locations selected were, The Fun Republic Mall in Ahmedabad, The Mitakhali Crossroads and turnabout of six roads in Ahmedabad and the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram for Tourists and International visitors. Each group visited their respective sites and after a couple of days of field observation and interaction with key persons and user groups decided their information strategy and the broad outline of their respective tasks. They then went back and spent more time systematically collecting data in as much detail as they could in order to work out the representation models that would adequately capture the data that they felt was critical to the situation. Each group came up with totally different tasks and the focus of each was to try and match their tasks to the real needs of the particular location and its managers and users as they thought fit. The Fun Republic Group therefore decided to work on the making visible footfalls within the retail entertainment space and use this visibility as a tool for incentives and schemes for users. The resultant representation was a multi-layered cutout of the building showing all the floors of the Fun Republic Mall and the information was represented on the three dimensional views for each floor. The second group took up the Mithakali Circle and the traffic flows around the circle. The looked at many ways of representing the data generated and found it quite complex since it had many kinds of flows and many needs for which the data could be used. Like most design projects they explored a variety of representational methods and finally came up with their final model. The third group took op the Gandhi Ashram and they made an aerial view representation of the campus buildings and major elements and decided to convert it into a place finding and promotional device for tourists interested in the history and the experience of the locations of special significance by adding snippets of relevant information. All groups were asked to go back and share the models with the user groups but ... |
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