One of the promises of our abundance of data is its democratization—the ability for anyone to access and share the stories found within the data. However, this work requires a basic level of data literacy that many may not have. Physical representations of data offer an approach to developing literacy that is more intuitive than digital tools, and can engage diverse audiences in communicating with and reacting to data. In this session, we will share strategies that bring your data out of the box and onto the table as a way to foster public engagement and promote new conversations.
Use the links below or on the other pages to support your next steps in using data physicalization with new audiences to address issues in your district.
- Start with the Data Physicalization Wiki for an overview.
- Rahul Bhargava and the crew at MIT's Center for Civic Media Engagement have a host of activities you can access and adapt under a Creative Commons license. Check out the Data Therapy site for more.
- Shannon Mattern and Jonas Voigt have posted their materials for an Urban Intelligence workshop, including illustrations, interfaces, kits and guides.
- Materials from the Considering Physical Variables for Data Physicalization Workshop.
- Visualising Information for Advocacy is a book about how advocates and activists use visual elements in their campaigns. This 160-page guide features nearly 50 case studies from around the world to provide an introduction to understanding visual information and a framework for using images for influence.
- Check out Citizen Sensing: A Toolkit from Making Sense. "Citizen sensing is often inspired by concern over a critical problem. The first step is to identify the concerns of those in the community and develop an understanding of the issue. This is a collaborative process that informs and guides community action, and helps build a shared position around an issue." You may also be interested in their report on Co-Desgining Participatory Approaches for Communities.
- David Hunter’s Data Walking research project aims to collect environmental data while walking around North Greenwich, to build a rich picture of that area over time. Data gathering devices include sensors on micro controllers, smart phones, and recorded notes. This data is then used to create maps, charts, data experiences, or artistic works by participants to represent the area and the process of the project.
- Check out a community-based example from Barcelona and consider the reasons wy Smart Cities Need Thick Data, Not Big Data.
- Visit Trevor Hogan's site on Tactile Data to see a variety of data physicalization ideas in action.
- See how GM Is Saving Cash Using Legos As A Data Viz Tool.
- Moritz Stefaner has been leading the Data Cuisine project over several years.
- "The sound of salmon can be used to understand their migration. The soundtrack to this video is the detailed movement of 45 juvenile salmon from the Snake River as they make their way to the ocean. It is scientific data turned to sound. Can you hear the movement of the population downstream to the ocean?"