wk 7

week2.md

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+https://preview.redd.it/population-growth-and-migration-rates-in-germany-from-1950-v0-y5izsf8y5kdc1.png?width=1640&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7742ecebb9be4a875e9617f7ed27614c2d2a44e
+
+This visualization shows Germany's population growth, as impacted by the net migration rate. It demonstrates population change with a very unique take, so while a little confusing at first, it makes sense after it clicks. Additionally, the visualization includes certain facts that explain the population changes, further emphasizing the changes as both a visual and a possible reason. Furthermore, color is used to indicate differences between periods of population increase and decline. Colored is population increase, while grey is population decline. This highlight helps the viewer to follow the trajectory, in addition to the little note made at the starting point.  
+While well-made and interesting, I think a few edits can be made to improve this visualization. The X-axis currently shows 70,000 to 84,000. At some point, it should be mentioned that this is 70,000k to 84,000k. The visualization can also be expanded on, maybe to be about Germany's greater population and the different parts that impact population, including a line for changes in natural births and deaths, and more. 

week3.md

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+http://www.dimiter.eu/Visualizations_files/WDVP.html
+
+This visualization has great organization and storytelling, it communicates its message very well with a few different metrics. It keeps an apparent consistency in the way it sorts by big, middle, and small states, including the little blurbs. Additionally, it contextualizes its claims on a map and with additional charts. These charts are also able to stay very clean and organized by removing the y-axis and simply staying consistent with the color scale. Even the choice of a slightly yellow background makes the data more readable. 
+
+I like the way it uses a map, phrase, graph, phrase, and another graph to expand upon a sentence and support the claims it is making. It does a good job of showing that small states tend to be politically stable, less corrupt, and more free. However, there has been less improvement in the past few years. Additionally, I think the choice to remove the axes helps make everything cohesive and connected. The axes would cause a little disconnect between the central chart and the surrounding claims.

week4.md

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+https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/1airq2j/oc_usa_population_in_hexagons/
+
+This is a visualization of USA population, split into hexagons that represent 100,000 people. It also outlines Metropolitan Statistical Areas, which helps to show just how much of the population lives in a state. The arrangement of hexagons also emulates the actual shape of each state, which helps make the visual instantly click. While everything could be connected, I think it helps to show how small the mid-west is. Additionally, little details like lines to names that were further away from the actual location make the visualization pretty easy to read despite the amount of detail. Additionally, the author has made a difference between this and another line that connects metro areas that are across multiple states. Depending on what the intent of the use is, I think there are a few edits to be made. For example, if it was to see how much of the population metropolitan areas take up, it would be important to only highlight those areas. Additionally, the colors could confuse someone who is involved in US politics. When reddish colors and blueish colors are used in a map, it typically means Republican and Democrat.  

week5.md

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+https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/uvsacs/oc_number_of_years_of_the_median_household_income/
+
+This visualization shows the number of years of the median household income to equate to the value of a typical home, for US counties in 2022. It makes really good use of the colors, there is so much contrast between all colors, that you can identify each county despite the two purple-ish shades being close. At the same time, the choice of yellow is a great one because the brightness of the color stands out compared to the mass of purples. It really highlights the fact that the West Coast, the a few exceptions, has much higher housing costs. However, there are a few updates that could be made to make it better. For example, what does the color grey symbolize? It is present in the visualization but not in the legend. Additionally, I think the font choice and word placement could be better. The placement of the text or event and the size of the legend could be made to match the length of the color swabs. I think the top headlining text could be made bigger and with a bit more contrast maybe in the background. The subheading should be bigger, but also I think it could all be justified. Maybe the creator could have added little blurbs that explain or highlight the counties that have the lowest and highest number of years. Additionally, I think the creator could build upon the visualization by adding a somehow interactive element that could maybe show cost of living or taxes. 

week6.md

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+(https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/26/opinion/sunday/paths-to-congress.html)
+
+This visualization shows the paths members of the House of Reps. took to get to Congress. Colors are based on party lines, blue for Democrats and red for Republicans. What really makes this visualization shine is the way it plays into the article itself and its interactive aspect. The article includes certain buttons, such as "Hover to see members with no bachelor's degree" and "Law school", which filter the visualization. The article contextualizes this based on the general population vs house of reps, but you can also see how it is in the house of reps. Even the way the layout of the article is done, with the scroll being horizontal means the visualization is always very prominent. Additionally, you can hover on a line to have it highlighted. The representative filter will automatically update to have the corresponding representative. You can also sort by state. The use of the circle to point out standout moments really highlight major steps taken by alot of the house, and make the visual alot easier to understand. 
+

week7.md

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+https://www.visualcinnamon.com/2014/12/using-data-storytelling-with-chord/
+
+This visualization shows how users purchase phones from different device providers. This visualization utilizes animation to first build the story and set the scene. It also explains the data as it appears. It has a whole separate step to show people changing between brands, it breaks down the story into segments and allows the user to process what they just saw. While the text is on a timer, the user can also reset, skip, or go to the source directly. When it begins to show. Additionally, when the visualization is showing more than just a piechart, it allows the viewer to control when to move on, giving them time to process as needed. It also helps when it flashes the percentage of the breakdown, bringing the user's attention there. By doing so, it builds upon explaining how to actually read the chord diagram, even clarifying the color of the chords signifying that one company has taken more from the other. I also find the color palette to be quite nice. It stays as true to the brand as it can, but due to overlap, it makes the next best choice while still matching the others. Adding the interactiveness of showing only the brand you hover over also really helps with reading the visual, but this is all because it really walks you through how to read and interpret.