Latitudinous/ Relative Information Visualization

Societies are getting more and more complex, and I see a need for us to make sense of all the information around us, in order to better understand ourselves. With new technologies, we create art to inform. Art is the easiest way for our brains to understand information, and by scanning a greater surface we are starting to understand the world in broader terms. We are connecting the dots like never before, seeing connections like never before, and communicating this like never before. 

STAMEN (http://stamen.com/)is a design and technology studio in San Francisco developing the concept of democratic data and visualization of such. By giving people access to relevant data they make pattern recognition a child’s play. 

David McCandless (http://tumblr.com/xfbq72r9b) holds a confirming talk about the importance of data visualization and how it so easily is absorbed by us. 

The Crisis of Credit, visualized (http://tumblr.com/xfbq75dbe) is a perfect example of how something complicated can easily be made understood through a visualization. This form of storytelling has since this came out been very popular in all forms. 

Pulse of the Nation (http://tumblr.com/xfbn80z7i) is a visualization made based on happy and sad Tweets. Since we have more huge open source databases like Twitter, we can easily make use of personal information that was not accessible before. 

Infographics are all over the place now(http://www.mastersdegreeonline.net/what-is-a-masters-degree-worth/)). The fact that many of them are poorly done shows that this is new to us. Newspapers are looking for people who know how to do them well, and schools are putting more emphasis on the specialization. 

Democratization of Art / Access is the New Ownership

Art is being shared for the good of the community, and for expression to thrive. There has been a shift from the mentality of having to buy something that is solely mine, to something that is ours and shared. People like collaborating, and the use of technology makes this very easy.  

The Johnny Cash Project (johnycashproject.com) was created after Johnny Cash’s death, to honor him. All the fans can contribute to the making of his last music video, buy adding their own interpretation through art. (johnycashproject.com

Open Street Map ( http://www.openstreetmap.org) makes it possible for people like you and me to create a map that is available to everyone. Do whatevery you wish with it. It’s open source.http://tumblr.com/xfbq9mzp3

This information visualization (http://tumblr.com/xfbq3qwog) clearly shows the move from ownership to access in the way we behave. 

Art installations like these become open to the public for everybody to enjoy and interact with. (http://www.psfk.com/2010/10/scattered-light-public-art-using-thousands-of-leds.html)

Locational Brand Features/ Brands improving our environment

Brands have evolved into being more empathetic. They act more like we do, with bold personalities. We see brands fully determined to make a better reality, a better environment for us. This way, they share an integral part of our lives, and we are them forever thankful for what they have done to improve our living. This works both ways, and results in a longer relationship compared to traditional poster campaign. 

The Graffomat (http://tumblr.com/xfbramr4o) makes graffiti artists life easier by supplying spray cans, markers, gloves and even ski masks in areas where the walls are popular. 

Dentsu, London (http://tumblr.com/xfbq6d8a9) explores how a journey can become more enjoyable and noteworthy, by implementing technological aspects and storytelling. 

MINI’s Getaway Stockholm campaign (http://tumblr.com/xfbov1c33) uses geo location to get people to compete for finding the MINI. Keep it for a week and you win it.  It’s almost like a game of hide and seek. 

The Bushwaffle (http://tumblr.com/xfbkoc5qh) is a direct response to the dehumanization of the public realm, and attempts to make urban environments more pleasant by providing pink, fluffy furniture.