Checklist – visualizations
Ensure that each visualization includes and accurately reflects all of the following elements:
All numbers double-checked
Spell check
Description of what the x- and y-axis represent
Units of measurement
Y-axis starts at 0
Conscious choice of colors – (explained on request)
Source
Instructions for use (if necessary)
Context or explanation (if necessary))
Byline
Accessibility (contrast, caption for screen readers, attached table etc)
(explained on request)
Understandable for someone who sees the visualization for the first time
(show it to someone outside the newsroom)
Url with the visualization checked on a mobile device
Assignment 1
a.)
b.)
In this case I choose the top 5 countries with the highest number of reactors. Furthermore I added the number 100 on the y-axe in order to show the number of reactors in the U.S. better.
c) Answer the following questions. Write the answers in your post.
Keep the questions in mind, as they will serve as a helpful guide for you in the future:
- Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
- I followed the checklist, but in my opinion not every step is necessary for every chart. It always depends on what the chart showes.
- Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colours using the tool?
- It was very easy changing and adjusting the colours.
- Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
- This was very easy as well. Once you know where to find it.
- Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
- I think the tool is very flexible. In this assignment I personally haven't found anything I would have liked to do but couldn't.
- Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
- You can use the alternative description for screen readers. That way it it possible to write down what the chart is about. People who have a problem with their vision or are blind are able to let the computer read to them, what the chart is about.
It is also possible to see how the charts would look for someone with dyschromatopsia.
- You can use the alternative description for screen readers. That way it it possible to write down what the chart is about. People who have a problem with their vision or are blind are able to let the computer read to them, what the chart is about.
- Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
- As you can choose to look at the charts in the smartphone view the charts do appear. I have not had any issues.
d.)
This graph shows the daily internet use in percent from the top 5 countries in the EU, also showing the EU avarage. I tried different layouts and chart types for this visualization. Eventhough I am not 100% happy with the outcome, as the differences within the countries is not visible very good, this chart was the best way to represent the data. In order to show that the 5 countries are above the EU average I also highlighted the EU average line by making it bold. I was not able to change the writing into bold characters.
Assignment 2
a.)
b.)
c) Answer the following questions (yes, once again!). Write the answers in your post:
- Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
- Yes I did
- Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colours using the tool?
- It was very easy
- Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
- I think it is easier than it was in datawrapper
- Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
- I could manage to do everything I needed so I guess it is very flexible so far
- Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
- The accessibility in terms of vision for colourblindness is limited here in comparison with datawrapper (or at least I haven't found it)
- Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
- No issues
d.)
Assignment 3
- In what context do you think Datawrapper is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
- I think Datawapper is a good tool to use because you have different options of uploading the data. Be it manually, in an excel, a google sheet or also a link. It is very intuitive and easy to work with. What I don't like about Datawrapper is, that if you change the layout to see how your table would look in a different visualization, all the adjustments you made previously (e.g. different colours) do not get transferred.
- What are the main benefits of using Datawrapper?
- I think the main benefit is that you have a high level of implementing accessibility in Datawrapper. You always have the possibility to check if visually impaired people can see your charts correctly and even get a warning from Datawrapper, when that is not the case.
- In what context do you think Flourish is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
- In Flourish you have the possibility to work with grid of charts. In this way you can compare a lot of visualizations directly and easily in one step. I would not use Flourish if I had to work with many different colours as I think it is very complicated to recolour the different parts of the visualizations. Also I feel like accessibility does not play a huge part in Flourish compared to Datawrapper.
- What are the main benefits of using Flourish?
- I think it is a huge benefit that you are able to able the x and the y axe in Flourish. That is not possible in Datawrapper. Also, like mentioned before, the grid of charts is a big benefit.
- Which of the tools do you personally prefer so far?
- Personally i prefer Datawrapper as I feel that it is more intuitive and easier to use.