sfernandes_project3

=//Global Suicide//= //By: Shaun Fernandes//

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=Rationale=

The purpose of the project was to create an infographic that displayed data from a specific source. Staying consistent with themes associated with identity and depression, the concept of suicide arose. Gathering the numerical data, deciding on how to display the rates and number in a way that drew the audience was my goal.

I think I was successful in displaying the data in a visual way. The size of my visuals directly correlate with the data presented in terms of size. The color and shape of the nodes also represent gender when breaking down the data. The short animations and small dynamic effects all add to the piece, which in turn make it an infographic. The visuals are controversial in a sense that some people would not agree they are a positive representation of suicide. My intentions were to break away from that stream of thinking and represent the piece in a way I thought was very graphic and engaging. I was not concerned with the seriousness nature that the visuals may represent. I wanted to create a piece that drew attention. I think I achieved that from the expressions and attentiveness of the class during my critique.

=Research=

Interactive Infographics
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/02/23/movies/20080223_REVENUE_GRAPHIC.html This was a very good visualization to show movie ticket revenue of different movies throught the years. The interactive feature of scrolling and hovering added the necessary dynamics to allow for user interactivity.
 * 1.The Ebb and Flow of Movies: Box Office Receipts 1986-2007**
 * Type:** Chronological & Quantitive

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/national/2005_HURRICANEKATRINA_GRAPHIC/index.html This infographic provided information on how to drain the excess water brought in by hurricane Katrina. The interactiviy was somewhat limited with the clicking of the tabs, but the detail of information was very well done. The aesthitics were also abit tacky and it seemed more like a clutter of information The piece lacks a structure and the information feels scattered. I will mst probably have similar problems in trying to express the amounts of info I have without taking away from the aesthetic and navigation of the piece.
 * 2. Draining New Orleans**
 * Type:** Spatial

http://www.jiffylube.com/education/howcarswork/howcarswork.aspx?whichService=differential&whichStep=maintenance A very graphical way to explain the features of a car. A visual representation provides a much beter explanation than just text or complicated diagrams. The simplicity and cartoon look, adds incentive to learn more about how cars work.
 * 3. Jiffylube: How Cars Work**
 * Type:** Spatial

http://www.theyrule.net/ An intereactive site that creates interlocking directoris of top companies in the US. The information is organized similar to the program cmap where connecting elements can be dragged across the screen. The figures represents different characterstics and hovering over an element gives more options to the user. For example when you rollever a desk or a person, you can expand, contract, delete and know more about the selection. The site engages in a lot of user interaction.
 * 4.Josh On's They Rule**
 * Type:** Spatial

http://www.gapminder.org/downloads/applications/ Type:** Chronological & Quantitive This interactive program is very similar to the concept I have in mind. Representing global data in which information about the world can be seen as a whole or by country. There are a wide list of options that are explored and the interaction of the visuals makes it more appealing to watch. A very well done program which contains an immense amount of information that can be explored in different ways.
 * 5. Gapminder World**
 * [[image:sfernandes_proj3_5.png]]

Statistics Used
Site provides tabular data on suicide rates of every country in the world. Drawback is it only specifies the year 2003. A good start to obtain quantitative information. http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suiciderates/en/
 * 1. Suicide Rates (per 100,000), by Country, Year, and Gender**

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicide_rates_chart/en/index.html
 * 2. Distribution of Suicide Rates by Gender and Age**

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/evolution/en/index.html
 * 3. Evolution of Global Suicide Rates 1950-2000**

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/changes/en/index.html
 * 4. Changes in the age distribution of cases of suicide**

5.Country reports and charts The data shows changes of suicide rates over time, from oldest to most recent, as well as the total suicide mortality rate. It also provides suicide rates by age groups and by gender in the most recent year available.

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/country_reports/en/index.html

=Process=

Preliminary Infographic Map
(click to enlarge)

[[image:sfernandes_proj3_intro.JPG]]
This is the first window the user sees. It display the title sequence and a some dynamic elements in order to get to the body of the inforgraphic. - box changes color - on off - links to next frame
 * on-rollover:**
 * on-click:**

[[image:sfernandes_proj3_1.JPG width="424" height="321"]]
This window contains a list of every country in the world. A flag, as well as the country name is listed to allow the user to view each countries profile. The user is allowed to choose any country in the world and view their statistics on the subject of suicide. Argentina is the only working profile in this section. - country has a grey highlight - country profile appears in another middle of screen. - moves onto next frame
 * on-rollover:**
 * on-click:**

**3. Comparison**
This menu allows users to compare with different countries. It works the same way as #1 in its display and functioning. - country has a grey highlight - country profile appears in another middle of screen.
 * on-rollover:**
 * on-click:**

**4. Choose Type of Statistics**
The window displays information on the current country selected. It shows the population rate as well as two user controlled options. The first is "Age" and the second is "Progression." These options provide the different suicide rates and numbers based the option chosen. There are buttons that allow the user to select the year they want to view, or the age group they want to view. - on off - the option that is selected is shown and information on country is displayed - size of node changes in size
 * on-rollover:**
 * on-click:**

//Preloader: Falling people//

//Main Window// The main window is where the animation of the twitching people takes place. The size of the node correlates to the statistics of the country by gender. The bigger the node, the higher the number of suicides. The nodes are of different abstract figures in order to differentiate between male and female.