Week 6 Data Visualization (Althea)

Source: http://www.example-infographics.com/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-country/

I love the idea of data visualization and especially enjoy looking at infographics. When done right, infographics are very effective in conveying statistics and invoking thought. Infographics with good design and attractive colours are also good at attracting and maintaining the interest of even those who don't consider themselves particularly good with numbers and data. For example, this infographic that I have chosen has a circle representing each country, and the size of the circle corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the colour and placement of the circle reflect the country's location on the world map.

With the infographic above, I found it particularly interesting that my home country, Singapore, produces more carbon dioxide emissions than Malaysia, its neighbour that is at least 450 times larger in land area. Canada's emission is also a lot lesser relative to that of USA. The information on this infographic is now outdated, so it is interesting to wonder how a current infographic of the world's carbon dioxide emissions will look like. Will China's circle be significantly smaller considering its slowing growth? Will a developing country's circle get bigger once production work gets passed off to them?

For an example of what else infographics can be used for, check out this free, printable poster: http://dirkloechel.deviantart.com/art/Size-Comparison-Science-Fiction-Spaceships-398790051. It was a passion project created by someone who was simply interested in comparing the sizes of sci-fi starships, and it is mindblowing.