‘Close the gap’ interactive data visualization
Short-but-sweet this month(ish).
DESIGN
- Winners: Kantar Information is Beautiful Awards 2015. And boy are they beautiful! I encourage you to check out some of the interactive data visualizations. It really showcases how impactful design can be, even on “subjective” (pfft!) information.
- SOUND DECISION: Inside the world of audio branding with Skype’s new pings, bounces, and pops. Really well done (and beautiful!) article about sound design using Skype as a case study. Hope you think about about all the sound design work that goes into the products you use—it’s not just for movies!
- “Learn More” Links: You Can Do Better. This is more of a user experience design/information architecture read, but it basically gives best practices for when and how to use “learn more” links in your work. Don’t use it as a crutch to hide more information!
SOCIAL
- There Have Been More Mass Shootings Than Days in 2015. Really tragic.
- Episode 192: Pagodas and Dragon Gates (via 99percentinvisible). Really liked this short podcast from 99percentinvisible talking about how Chinatowns in the United States came to look the way they do and why. The answer might surprise you.
- “Status Update” (Act One of a This American Life episode). I’ve been listening to more podcasts lately while I’m in between audio books and this one made me sad for all of the girls going through this and women everywhere.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- There is a whale longer than any orca, and we missed it (via BBC). Was talking to my friend about whales when this came out. The real answer to ‘Why the long face?’ Speed.
- You were taught in school that the rain forest is like the lungs of our planet. It’s not that simple. Grant shared this incredible photo-journalistic series with me, called Look At This. This episode talks about the importance of the rainforest in Brazil with incredible pictures and really stunning information about the complex issue.
MEDIA
- How the Mast Brothers fooled the world into paying $10 a bar for crappy hipster chocolate. This made me so sad! I remember watching their vimeo about their chocolate process years ago to admire the beautiful design…
- Netflix Just Invented Socks That Pause Your Show If You Fall Asleep. If you have any interest in how to wearables can adDRESS real-world problems.