This project is about repolishing and giving a makeover to one of my data visualization works that I made a couple of years ago.
The dataset is from Makeover Monday's Data.World page by Andy Kriebel. To be honest, the main reason I chose Makeover Monday as a source for the dataset is that it is typically clean and ready to be visualized. I feel like most of the time spent on creating a data visualization from start to finish is spent on data cleaning and preparation. This is one of the tasks that I least enjoy. I understand its importance, but I have an "anal" perception of wanting everything to be spelled perfectly. I need to get over that and work smarter. So, for the purpose of this assignment, it is a good source.
Here is what I have gathered from the Plastic Makers Index dataset:
Problems:
• Who are the single-use plastic producers? Where are they located?
• What banks have been giving out loans and underwritings to the producers?
• Who are the prominent investors of these banks and companies?
Goals:
• To inform and create awareness about the producers, bankers, and investors in polymer productions that makes single-use plastics.
• To share potential solutions recommended by experts in the field.
After showing the professor what I had made and sharing a few perspectives, I chose the meta-problem, which is how to make the data visualization more impactful and easier to digest.
Here are the screenshots of the original version of this dataset:
The Professor's feedback:
• The vertical scrolling loses the real message of what each chart wants to convey.
• The color scheme doesn't portray the message of single-use plastic WASTE makers. Green conveys that everything is alright; the opposite is what I want the audience to take away.
• Too much information in one place. Dashboarding is supposed to be a snapshot and focused area on things that are happening, rather than everything happening here.
Design Process
Sketching
I went back to my sketchbook and recreated what I think might be more impactful:
• Flipping the vertical dashboard to a horizontal one. This way, viewers don't need to scroll to compare and receive the message.
• Comparison charts between two parties (e.g., bankers and producers) to show the connection.
• Visual metaphor: an oil drop or barrel.
Prototyping
I recreated the dashboard from scratch to jog my memory of what data I had. Maybe there is a different angle from which I can tell the story.
After deciding to use the Generic Desktop size for my dashboard, I tried to arrange two datasets on one page. However, there seemed to be too much information happening at once.
Everything seemed too squished together, and there wasn't enough white space or breathing room for the dashboard. I believe that white space is one of the key elements that makes data visualization good.
An alternative to this would be to give each of the producers, bankers, and investors their own dashboard.
However, something was missing here: the context and making the story flow from beginning to end.
I rephrased the Plastic Waste Makers Index report's insights by The Minderoo Foundation and took parts of it and added them into each dashboard to support the charts.
Designing
I used XD to create the background for each dashboard and set the color palette and typography for the entire feel and look of the data viz.
Since generative AI is becoming more popular, I used Adobe Firefly and Photoshop to generate a few background images that I felt could help with the storyline.
The visual metaphor on the chart was nixed. Instead, I put a building wrapped in plastic bags to represent how corporations are "building" this problem and oil and gas platforms made out of plastic bags to create a more dramatic background.
