The nuclear energy data map had one graph that I think I will do something close to that. It mapped the nuclear energy for various countries and I would map each school at Purdue mapping how many majors in that school require a statistics class to graduate. This format is very effective and would be easy to use in a meeting that you do not have much time to give so much information.

This draft also had many use of graphics and multiple charts. For my map, I don't think that graphics will be useful since in a meeting or presentation, you have to show as much content. It needs to be visually appealing, but not full of pictures. Multiple charts are also hard to follow, and I want to focus on one or possibly 2 charts to show my data.

1. The iTunes data map is very similar to one of my project ideas. It utilizes web based interactivity to get the information across to the audience. The audiences ability to change the look and feel of the map is a great feature that would work well in my case. Everyone experiences information consumption somewhat differently, and being able to tailor the information would be fantastic.

2. In contrast, my map will rely more on symbols to quickly and efficiently express data than the iTunes map. It relies on text alone to relay the information. This works well for that data set, but would not work in my case. My hope is that my map will allow users to gather the information they are looking for quickly, accurately, and with minimal reading required.

One feature that I thought worked well was the map representing the best places to shoot on an ice rink during a hockey game. I think I could use this towards my map because it shows the best places to achieve one purpose: a goal. My maps are to show one purpose, where each guest user clicks.

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A feature or technique that I didn't think worked well was the solar system map. This does not apply to my map because I will not be mapping out set places, or showing the location of areas. Also, the map is inaccurate because planets do not travel in perfect circular orbits.

The one feature of the example draft that I looked at used a time line. I want to use a similar feature but instead of a time line I want to use a number line to display information. The example also provides details under each picture, which I plan on providing additional information under my graphics.

The one feature that I did not think would work well is all of the writing at the top of the time line. I plan on keeping it simple and not using too much text. If I used a lot of text, it would not help the audience understand the material I am trying to present.

I have an idea of what I'm going to do now. Ahahaha.

1.) The example draft (for example, the Starcraft Terran race tech tree (for buildings)) was pretty in-depth, not only giving the order in which buildings can be created, but lists the resource costs of the building itself, and any unit the building can create is listed as well (along with costs).

2.) I think it was kinda cluttered up though. That and having some units with a requisite building being listed alongside a building (and having said requisite building below the unit-producer) was a bit confusing (to the unsavvy viewer).

If I were to follow the Argonautica family tree example, I think my Star Wars family tree idea would work well if the design used a similar simple key. For people unfamiliar with the characters, the male and female colors would be helpful, especially since some of the fictional names are harder to distinguish by gender than American names like we are used to. In addition, with several characters having adopted parents/siblings, a similar distinguishing symbol or line style could help eliminate additional confusion.

I don't think having text boxes with character information would work well, however, as there are many more characters that could be included on the Star Wars map. With the text alongside the names, the tree would be much to crowded, and it would be nearly impossible to fit everyone within a reasonable amount of space. If, instead, the text box information only showed when you clicked on a name, it might prove useful and informative, while remaining uncluttered.

One feature that I like is the use of color and pictures that only a few use in their designs. I really like the concept that http://www.digitalparlor.org/sp08/tirrell1/sites/digitalparlor.org.sp08.... uses, but I some of the words, for example "hold at a 45 degree angle" might be a little to advanced for the person completing the maze learning to brush their teeth.
One feature that I don't like is using too many words to describe. Many of these have words with color backgrounds, it kind of takes away from the visual idea. For example http://www.digitalparlor.org/sp08/tirrell1/sites/digitalparlor.org.sp08.... I think this person could have used more graphics to represent instead of the full color background to help with the understanding.

The Brushing the Teeth Example

The example works really well because it clearing is intended for an audience of young children. I assume this data map would be located in a children's color book or similar type of activity book for children, which would be the appropriate medium.

Nuclear Energy in the World

This data map does not seem to work well visually, because there are too many graphs to keep the audiences focus.

After looking at the maps, I really liked the guitar hero interactive map. It displayed a lot of information related to the game and was easy to use. Though I don't particularly like guitar hero, many people do and the information provided is actually quite useful to them. What struck me was it's presentation: it looked good and the data wasn't confusing at all. Simple buttons allowed you to quickly find what you wanted to look at, and then the data was presented in simple text form. I can apply the simple yet effective layout of this map to my own.

The map I didn't like was the one of the solar system. It was extremely confusing because the labels were on the side of the map. The only reason I knew where each planets were was because I knew about the solar system, but if I didn't have that knowledge I'd have no idea what I was looking at. Given this map is probably geared towards an audience that doesn't know much about the solar system, that's a very bad thing. Since the data is so commonplace, those who do know the solar system will find nothing interesting. Combine that with bad graphics, and you have one ugly data map. My project needs to have clear labels to be understood, or it will face the same fate.