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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Data Visualization

  • Final Project

    Read the final project requirements. Think about what topic, datasets, and output technique you want to explore for your final project. This could be building on one of the sketches you did before, or starting something new.

    Read more: Final Project

  • Homework 16 & 17: Sketch 5

    Start working on your idea for this sketch, and bring into class: data, audience, goals, and question.

     

    Finish your sketch

    Read more: Homework 16 & 17: Sketch 5

  • Homework 15: Map Somerville tree data

    Use Tableau or CartoDB to make a map of the Somerville MA tree data

    Read more: Homework 15: Map Somerville tree data

  • Homework 12 & 13: Sketch 4

    Start working on your idea for this sketch, and bring into class: data, audience AND goals!

    Finish your sketch.

    Read more: Homework 12 & 13: Sketch 4

  • Homework 10 & 11: Sketch 3

    Start working on your idea for this sketch, and bring into class: data, audience AND goals!

    Finish your sketch.

    Read more: Homework 10 & 11: Sketch 3

  • Homework 9: How to tell a story

    Read Paige Williams, “How to tell a story: The Moth.” Nieman Storyboard (Harvard), August 2012. Choose and listen to one Moth Story. Write down and bring to class your analysis, as Paige Williams lists in her article’s item #3.

    Read more: Homework 9: How to tell a story

  • Homework 7 & 8: Sketch 2

    Start working on your idea for this sketch. Come to class with with:

    • The data you are going to use (remember to go data shopping!)
    • The audience you want to make something for (remember "general public" is an unacceptable audience!)
    • Good but not required: one abstract word in your data story that you need help representing in concrete ways ("inequality", "hate", "asylum", etc.)

    Finish your sketch.

    Read more: Homework 7 & 8: Sketch 2

  • Homework 5 & 6: Sketch 1

    Come to class knowing what dataset you are working on, an outline of the story, and a sketch of what you want to make.

    Finish your sketch.

    Write up your project on the class blog. Start with a summary sentence in the form: "The data say ________. We want to tell this story because _____." Include a 300ish word summary of your data sources and why what you made is an appropriate and effective way to tell the data story.

    Read more: Homework 5 & 6: Sketch 1

  • Homework 2: Data Log

    Create an activity log of all the types of data you create and are captured in digital form during the course of one day, and enter it on the class blog.

    Read more: Homework 2: Data Log

  • Homework 1: Visualization Blog

    Write a post on the class blog about a data presentation you saw recently (250ish words). Include a link and a picture/screenshot of the presentation. Make sure to address:

    • what data is being shown
    • who you think the audience is
    • what you think the goals of the data presentation are
    • whether you think it is effective or not and why
    Read more: Homework 1: Visualization Blog

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.