I really enjoyed this short documentary. I think that it really broadened my understanding of presenting data in a innovative and original graphical format. On our most recent assignment to create our own info graphic I feel like I really struggled to make something that I was proud of. I Really do have a knack for design and I can make things look unique and beautiful in photo shop and illustrator but the challenge I faced with the info graphic assignment was making things that looked good but that also served a purpose. I think my biggest mishandling of the project was trying to create elements and then fit them to data, rather than starting with data and devising an interesting way to present it. That’s what journalism in the age of data really clarified for me. Sometimes the most successful and innovative way to present data is the simplest way. The other thing that the film introduced to me was the idea of making the information interactive. Allowing the user to interact with the data and chose how to view the different elements creates a new level of intimacy between user and data set. I wish I could go back and watch this film before I started work on my info graphic, I think that my work would have been much better. However failing to live up to my standards will only spur me to work harder on the next project.
Cheers,
Neff