A2—Encodings & xenographics

Due 2023-09-22, 11:59pm EST 12pts

As before, this assignment is split into several parts. Follow the instructions for each part (below) and submit a single PDF for the entire assignment, again one page per part.

Please post any questions about this assignment on Slack.

Warning: This is an individual assignment.

Table of contents

• Change log
• Part 1—Encodings
  • Aim of the assignment
  • Instructions
  • Submission instructions
  • Grading Rubric
• Part 2—Xenographics
  • Aim of the assignment
  • Instructions
  • Submission instructions
  • Grading rubric
• Final submission instructions

Change log

• 2023-09-18: Fixed Gradescope outline.

Part 1—Encodings

Aim of the assignment

There are many different visualization “taxonomies” which sort and organize visualizations based on data, task, or type. In this part of the assignment, we will use one such taxonomy site to explore the range of visual encodings and ways to organize visualizations.

Instructions

1. Navigate to datavizproject.com/ and take some time to freely browse the website and explore.
2. After browsing, find a visual encoding on the webpage that is new to you (i.e. one you have never seen before).
3. Start writing a document in your favorite word processor / document preparation system.
   1. Write A2—Encodings & xenographics as the title.
   2. Write Part 1a as a section heading.
4. Put in this section a screenshot and hyperlink to the visual encoding that is new to you.
5. Add a short paragraph explaining what you like and do not like about the new-to-you visual encoding you selected. You are welcome to use Chat GPT or similar tools, but be careful to modify and proofread the output.
6. Take a look at the toolbar at the top of the webpage. Note how visualizations are organized (categorized) in multiple ways to help the user identify a visual encoding depending on whether they care about data type, composition, or task.
7. Create a page break in your document so that this next sub-part has its own page.
   1. Write Part 1b as a section heading.
   2. Write answers to the following questions:
      1. What does “Input” mean? How are the visualizations categorized in this scheme? How does (if at all) this map to the language in our readings?
      2. What does “Shape” mean? How are the visualizations categorized in this scheme? How does (if at all) this map to the language in our readings?
      3. What does “Function” mean? How are the visualizations categorized in this scheme? How does (if at all) this map to the language in our readings?

Submission instructions

1. You will continue to add to your document in the other parts of the assignment, and then submit the whole thing as a PDF on GradeScope.

Grading Rubric

Part 2—Xenographics

Aim of the assignment

All visualizations at one point in time were new. As we have seen in class, basic bar, line, and flow charts have been used for over 150 years, and maps much longer. However, new visualizations are being created every day! We will explore some of these newest designs in this part of the assignment with the Xenographics project.

Instructions

1. Watch the following talk about the Xenographics project by Maarten Lambrechts from the OpenVis Conf (2018):

2. Next, explore the online collection: https://xeno.graphics/.
3. In your document:
   1. Create a page break so that each part has its own page
   2. Write Part 2 as a section heading.
4. Then, write a 1-2 paragraph response (minimum 200 words) which addresses the following questions:
   1. What is the Xenographics project, and what is its goal?
   2. How are the visualizations categorized and organized on the project website?
   3. What was the most interesting or surprising thing you learned by watching the talk and exploring the website?
   4. Provide a link and short description to your favorite visualization on the website.

Submission instructions

1. You will continue to add to your document in the other parts of the assignment, and then submit the whole thing as a PDF on GradeScope.

Grading rubric

Final submission instructions

All parts should be submitted as a single PDF and submitted to the assignment A2—Encodings & xenographics on Gradescope. Please use Gradescope’s “tagging” interface to associate each of your answers with the questions of the rubric.

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