Self-Generated Data Patterns
Recurring events leave their mark to create visible data patterns
Footprints on a jogging track
Fingers on a keyboard
Riverwater flow on stones
Such patterns are
Self-Evident
What is Self-Evident ?
That, which does not need to be verbally explained by language or labels, and can be directly grasped visually by everyone.
Capable of universal understanding.
Smile, hair, broken teeth, glasses
Mountain profile, cloud pattern, radiating glow
Vigorous river water flow, battered stones
Whole data pattern visible at a glance. Great density of detail as contributed by various parameters which create the event.
Visual Information Diagrams: Typical Process
Data Collection Analysis and Processing of data to reveal the desired Data Pattern Creating Visual Representation of Data Pattern by assigning meanings to visual forms and labeling them Final Data Diagram
Though the aim is to make visual diagrams, the interpretation and understanding usually is dependent on verbal labeling of the data pattern.
Data Distancing The distance created by the extent of labeling which must be read before data can be understood.
Generic quantitative variables need data labeling
Understanding totally dependent on verbal information
Many visual diagrams exist just as visual fillers on a page or illustrations without any significant information function
Some seem to exist because the intended audience is not capable of mentally visualizing the magnitude difference between 525 and 13
Piling Up the Electoral Votes
REAGAN: 525
MONDALE: 13
Republican
Democrat
Isolating data bits and presenting them as single parameter patterns destroys the Context of the Data, as well as the Density of Detail. Both the Context and the Detail can be very useful in understanding the data. Eliminating them may lead to data loss and partial understanding.
Data pattern created with dots
Replacing dots with foot-marks
Adding colour to suggest jogging track
Actual track image not only shows data, but also whole context, detail, and relationships.
The Whole Pattern, as well as magnifiable detail showing further patterns at smaller levels
Watering as a parameter, contributing to grass density on the track
Data as it is.
A Virgin Computer Keyboard.
Unused and without use data pattern.
Typing as creator of use data pattern
Frequency, stroke strength and location, touching pattern for left and right hand fingers: recorded automatically by use.
Co-existence of many different data types
including lack of proper housekeeping
Use frequency map of Keys
Strength and location of finger stroke on individual keys
Possibility of composite mapping through multi-sampling
Data about fingering pattern on a particular key from a sample of users
Use data pattern on an old elevator control panel in an Office Building
Least visitors to 30th floor
Maximum visitors for First Floor Door Close button used much more than Door Open button
Dynamic data patterns on a beach
Wave force, slope, sand particles distribution
Wavelet sub-events
constantly changing multi-level, multi-variable data patterns
endlessly generating themselves
recording unfolding events in real time, as high resolution 3-D renderings
with great clarity variety and beauty naturally and effortlessly
Showing their story to whoever will see. Individually and Collectively. Visually, Completely, and Honestly.