iogdc 2012 - the engaging data manifesto

Making Open Data Easy to Understand: Visual Budget

International Open Government Data Conference 2012Lightning Talk - Friday, July 6, 9:45am ET

Eric Hochhalter - Creative Director, Visual BudgetNeil Halloran - Creator, Visual Budget

The Engaging Data Manifesto

A Data Presentation Masterclass

http://youtu.be/DNFwYiWY5KA

Math Is Easy,Design Is Hard.

Math Is Easy,Design Is Hard.

Resolution:

We will create beautiful graphics which instantly and clearly tell the human story of the data.

Tools Are Awesome.Tools Are Boring.

Tools Are Awesome.Tools Are Boring.

Resolution:We will build views of data that clearly demonstrate statistically significant trends and inflections. Our interactive tools will allow for deep analysis and comparison of related views and data sets.

Data Tell Stories.Stories Need Great Storytellers.

Data Tell Stories.Stories Need Great Storytellers.

Resolution:We will find the human element in every data story, and we will present it with the drama and charisma of a storyteller.We will structure our presentations with a beginning, a middle, and an end. With the audience’s curiosity piqued, we will relinquish control to the user to explore the data using our tools as a sandbox.

Big Numbers Break Our Brains

Big Numbers Break Our Brains

Resolution:We will always connect large numbers to personal experiences. We will present numbers in human terms such as per-capita or percent. We will use animation to transition between scales and scopes so we never lose the overall context.

http://youtu.be/nmIN0vndu_k

Appendix - Visualizations We Admire● Hans Rosling's Gapminder

http://www.gapminder.org/world

● New York Times - Budget Deficit Puzzlehttp://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html

● New York Times - 2013 Presidential Budgethttp://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/02/13/us/politics/2013-budget-proposal-graphic.html

● Visualizing large numbers - with tankshttp://www.lesfreresmoustache.com/#softwar

● Cook County Illinois Budgethttp://lookatcook.com/

● Money We Spend vs. Money We Talk Abouthttp://www.pitchinteractive.com/usbudget/

● I.O.U.S.A - Documentary Film Explaining Federal Budgethttp://www.iousathemovie.com/

Appendix - Who We Are

Higher Mediahighermedia.com

Higher Media is a web and database development firm that’s been creating advanced data solutions for business clients for over 10 years. We also create non-profit data visualizations for the public good. Our previous project, OurBombs.com visualizes the use of US airpower since the beginning of war in Afghanistan. It was nominated for a SXSW Web Award in 2010.