Visualization
Study the following Visualization and source website: https://howmuch.net/articles/wind-power-in-the-united-states-2018
Discuss your ideas on how you would remake this visualization. What changes should be made and why? (150-300 words)
Sample Solution
After reviewing the source about wind power in the United States (https://howmuch.net/articles/wind-power-in-the-united-states-2018), here are some ideas for remaking the visualization:
Changes to Consider:
- Focus on interactivity: The current image is static. Consider making it interactive. Users could click on a state to see details like total wind energy production, investment levels, or number of homes powered.
- Alternative map format: A choropleth map (like the current one) might be good for overall national trends. However, for state-by-state comparisons, consider a different map format like proportional symbols or graduated circles. These would visually represent the wind energy production based on size or intensity of color, making comparisons between states easier.
- Consider a timeline: If data for multiple years is available, a timeline visualization could be used to show the growth of wind energy production over time across different states.
- Layered information: The current design uses color coding for both investment and number of homes powered. This can be confusing. Consider using overlays or a legend with different symbols to represent each data point clearly.
Reasoning for Changes:
- Interactivity allows users to explore the data in more depth and personalize their experience.
- Different map formats can highlight specific aspects of the data more effectively.
- Timelines can reveal trends and growth patterns.
- Layering information improves clarity and avoids visual overload.
By incorporating these changes, the visualization can become more engaging, informative, and user-friendly for a wider audience.