Kristin Becker's DTC Classes at WSU

Custom sprite sheets are a hobby of sorts for some. A sprite sheet is a series of characters, usually the same character or a series of characters in different poses. Their original use was for video games, so that the animations of a single 2d character could be stored in a single file. Over time fans of video games would be able to pull those sprite sheets out of the game, and as those sprite sheets became available, fans would create their own. These new sprite sheets range from near direct copies, or mild redesigns of characters straight from the game to unique characters designed from the ground up, often though landing in the middle, recolors and modifications to existing characters intended to create unique characters in the same style.

This is an example created by deviant art user Erimeris. He took designs (this one appears to be borrowed from one of the Pokemon titles) and redesigned the characters after his favorite comic book characters. (and a couple from wicked) Looking at the top half of the image (Batman, Robin and everyone above them) The artist was able to illustrate the answer to the question, “What would batman be like in the style of Pokemon?”

In Envisioning Information, Tufte talks about how small multiples can provide a “scope of alternatives”. In this case the artist shows what multiple characters, who may not otherwise be seen alongside each other would look like, without having to recreate the entirety of Gotham City. The “constancy of design” that Tufte talks about comes not from internal consistencies, in this particular case, but by using a style that speaks to a particular community. This style speaks directly to the type of people who would most appreciate the work.

Small multiples, “reveal all at once, a scope of alternatives, a range of options” (68). They are multivariate and data bountiful, they visually enforce comparisons of change, and direct towards the important information at hand. (67) This example is a great example of “data bountiful” visualization using small multiples, a term exercised in Edward Tufte’s Envisioning Information. This Infographic communicates facts and statistics about U.S. Military personnel, including active duty and reserves.

This piece does an excellent job of incorporating text, visual, and quantitative elements. A cool teal-blue color with a light gray accent is the palette used through the entire Infographic; this consistency allows the eyes to flow to the critical parts of information. The color scheme shows a wide range of data and utilizes alternating colors to highlight the targeted information for each section, specifically showing the range of minimum to maximum values. The use of this color scheme allows for a simple and concise layout to present the information given. The repetition of both color and graph elements throughout the Infographic, brings forward the differentiation between information and also separates and layers the data. Everything is labeled and sequenced in a straightforward manner, allowing readers to make comparisons at a glance. The Infographic is separated into horizontal rows through the use of thin gray lines implementing a stylized order, and also uses white space to highlight each element within. These divisions are not disruptive, but not quite silent either.

This piece utilizes ratios and 8 different graphs to present information such as a bar graph, circle graph, line graph, etc. Through the use of unique visual graphs, this piece catches the eye as well as directing it to the desired information. I especially like the graph at the bottom which depicts the ’Military casualties by conflict’, I think the use of the overlapping circles is straightforward and shows the contrast between the two numbers being represented well. The dates, percentages, and other descriptive, pertinent information have a light gray typeface and are carefully placed under the data to not distract from the data, but serve as a subsidiary aspect.

At the top of this piece there is a good example of using text as image. In the ‘Who Serves’ category the number ‘2,266,883’ is placed in a large typeface and utilizes quite a bit of space, enough to catch the eye and serve as a plane element within the Infographic.  This is also a good example of using a qualitative element within to catch the eye and influence the reader with factual evidence. Another great example of using a qualitative element is the use of ratios within this piece. The entire presentation of data within this Infographic is very visual and highlights the weight of each graphical object’s importance.

Hurt, Alyson, Erica Ryan, and JoElla Straley. By The Numbers: Today’s Military. Digital image. Www.NPR.org. NPR, 3 July 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2011/07/03/137536111/by-the-numbers-todays-military&gt;.

This is a tennis analytical data chart of a tennis match done by Damien Demaj. He is a cartographic product engineer at ESRI. In his work he has multiple ways of charting data, but in particular this graphic chart shows the Gold Metal tennis match in the London Olympics between Andy Murray and Roger Federer’s shot sequence. The last three courts are the most important because they are the placements of Andy Murray’s last three winning shots.The design is fluent throughout with the tennis courts all being the same size and are in order of the shot sequence. As Edward Tufte explains “data bountiful” he talks about how a multitude of data can be explained with one composition that is collective. Small multiples are used to show overlapping tennis ball shots from the two players in a series of common basemaps. Color is very important to show the difference between the shots won for each player. The background is black and the two players are distinguished by thick colored lines of lime green representing forehand shots and blue representing backhand shots. Comparison between similar events are occurring from the placement of the ball and where the player started off when taking the shot and this can be seen in one eye span showing player strategy. Range of data shows a multitude of elements and in this particular graphic the different styles of lines represent, Murray forehand winning shot position, Murray backhand winning shot position, ball bounce, Murray forehand winning shot, Murray backhand winning shot, Murray’s movement, Federer’s movement and stroke pattern. The relationship between the text and the image is the connection between the image graphics and the information explaining the graphic at the bottom right. Silent methods of placement are used well in this graphic because of the fluent same white space in between the different sequenced boxes.

Damien Demaj Federer vs. Murray Gold Medal Match Analytic Graphic http://www.sloansportsconference.com/?p=8387

Created by RJ Andrews, http://infowetrust.com/2014/03/26/creative-routines/

This infographic I found (via Pinterest) compares the daily routines of various historically creative people.  Each person has their own circle with their routine circling a photograph of them.  Because this is information regarding schedules and time of day, the circles represent a clock.  Each type of activity throughout the day is categorized and color coded, and a key is provided for how to read the clock and explains what activity each color corresponds to.

Using Tufte’s criteria, this example clearly demonstrates the concept of small multiples.  All of the information is within the eye span of the viewer and each piece of information is shown in the same format throughout the graphic – small circular photos of the subject surrounded by a clock-like graph containing the important data.

As far as the design of these small multiples and the graphic overall, it fits the criteria fairly well.  As stated by Tufte, there is an “effectiveness and elegance of small spots of intense, saturated color for carrying information.”  The graphic is mostly black and white with a light gray background, and uses color only for the information being communicated.  This makes the important part of the graphic stand out with contrast and states its purpose explicitly.

The use of text could use improvement.  The sans-serif font is appropriate for the content and design.  It is easy to read the larger text in the image.  However, there is a lot of smaller text that is not so easy to read.  Looking closer, the small pieces of text placed around the circle share a few facts about the person or a particular part of their routine.  Although these bits of information are interesting, I don’t think they add to importance of the focus of the graphic.  Looking at it from a normal distance, the tiny text becomes distracting blocks that disrupt the streamline look of the entire design.

There is framing in between the multiples, but it is made of very thin lines that are a slightly darker gray than the background and does not seem too disruptive.  Because the circles are placed on a grid already, I do not think the framing is needed.  It is probably there to divide all of the small text and keep it contained with its corresponding information in order to avoid confusion.  If that unnecessary text and framing were eliminated, this design would be extremely successful.