Mapping & Visualizing Data
Effects on Body
Maps are visualizations of purposefully-selected data. Maps are the artifacts, but mapping captures the data that eventually informs the visual artifact (map). In this project, I was able to experiment with unconventional and creative digital mapping & data visualization. Then, through the data that were collected, I was able to develop a new model that allowed for innovative interpretation .
Understanding the effects of environmental changes on our bodies and how we adapt to them is a captivating area of exploration.
The project sought to investigate how the environment influences the human body, with particular attention to the subjective understanding of the term "environment." Survey respondents were given the freedom to define environment based on their own perspectives, encompassing factors such as climate, urban surroundings, lifestyle, and individual habits. Targeted inquiries, such as "Have you noticed your hair becoming drier since living in Providence?" were posed. Data was gathered from more than 90 individuals residing in Providence, Rhode Island, and subsequently organized and analyzed.
Phase 1 involved the creation of a walkabout Poster Installation featuring three layers of posters suspended from the ceiling, with a sufficient gap between them to allow human subjects to navigate freely among them. The installation effectively visualizes the data collected from the survey. The first layer consists of a world map indicating the original locations of the subjects. The second poster, differentiated by color and size based on gender and ethnicity, categorizes individual participants.
Each circle within the installation represents an individual participant, with its color denoting ethnicity and its size indicating age. Notably, due to the significant Asian population in the vicinity of Providence, orange circles are predominant. The final poster within the installation maps out the specific words provided by participants when asked about their physical and mental well-being. An overwhelming majority, exceeding 70%, mentioned feeling "physically tired" and "mentally tired."
In the concluding phase, the goal was to develop an interactive visualization of the study's results, fostering active involvement from the participants. This mapping endeavor aimed to cultivate a stronger emotional resonance with the research conclusions. Using projection installation, the four walls of a room were utilized to showcase various representations of the bodily alterations individuals undergo as a result of environmental fluctuations. As participants observed their silhouettes, the projections dynamically interacted with them, enriching their comprehension of the research outcomes in real time.
