The document summarizes work assisting with a Ph.D thesis project on data visualization. Two initial solutions were proposed that represented two independent variables graphically on a map while meeting constraints of working at different scales, being colorblind accessible, and easy to understand at a glance. Solution 1 used color for one variable and texture of differently sized hexagons for the other. Solution 2 used color for one variable and texture of solid vs dashed lines for the other, with an optional third variable of line rotation. Feedback was provided on prototype versions of each solution.

1. InformationVisualization
Taking Fuzzy to Clear

2. Original Sketch from Faculty

3. After
After consulting with client and analyzing the
original concept model sketch, I was able to clean
things up via reduction of elements, content
grouping, contrast, hierarchy, and typography.

4. Before:Two Unrelated
Gov’t HSI Process Charts

5. Assignment:
1. Combine both into one
2. Make it clear
3. Do not change colors
Before:Two Unrelated
Gov’t HSI Process Charts

6. Note:“Time”runs both left
to right and top to bottom.

7. After (Prototype)
Thisrevisionmoreaccuratelyshowsthe processand
decisionpointswith respect toproject timelines.No
revisionwasrequestedso novisual designpolishing
occurred.The conceptwascorrect on first effort.

8. After (Prototype)

9. DataVisualization:
Thesis Project Assistance

10. Background
Ph.D. Thesis Project“Data Map Challenge”
I was challenged with helping out a professor and student from the Naval
Postgraduate School with this graphical data visualization problem.
Goal/Constraints:
“Find ways to show 2 independentvariables graphically on a map with the
following constraints and conditions:
• Solution must work equally well in small regions as across large regions.
• Must be accessible to color blind individuals.
• Must be“at-a-glance”friendly for upper-ranking officers and real-world
scenarios.

11. Solutions
After consultations and experimentation, I submitted two proposed solutions,
shown on the next few slides.
Solution #1:
• Variable 1 = Color
• Color values translating well to black and white for accessibility.
• Variable 2 =Texture. Created by“scaling”hexagons
• Thicknesses of hexagon borders scale inversely with shape sizeso as not to
create a perceived color shiftas the‘hexes’reduce.
Result (next slide):
• Each region has a distinctly different color and texture.

12. Solution #1 prototype
(Partially completed)

13. Solution #1 prototype
(Partially completed)
Color doesnot shift
though texture does
(withline thickness
algorithm).

14. Solution #2 prototype:
Color andTexture with optional
“Rotation” variable.

15. Solution #2
Approach
• Variable 1 = Color
• Values translating to black and white for accessibility.
• Variable 2 =Texture
• Created via solid thin vs. thick dashed lines.
3Variable Option for Scalability
• This solution was developedfor scalability. If authors wanted to
introduce a 3rd variable,angle rotation could also be used.