Data Visualization Science Art Project

For my Science class, I needed to take a range of scientific data and convey it into my own visualization art piece. I chose to represent the predicted top 5 number of cancer cases in 2020 and compare it between the provinces to see the differences and similarities. There was some interesting results and many provinces had similar type of cancers that on the rise. Here is the raw data:

Spreadsheet:

My chosen element for this project was using symbols, specifically organ parts. Originally, I was going to do a map by hand and draw out the organs but it was a bit difficult. As I was working on the project, I decided it was just easier to use a software to input the symbols. Drawing would have definitely taken a very long time. The symbols used were to represent the number of people in 2020 that will be diagnosed with a certain type of cancer. So, individuals could see the rise or downward trend of some types of cancers in Canada. A full organ emoji represented about 1000 cases.While 100 cases represented half of an organ and a quarter of the same organ represented 5-10 cases.

With the organs, you could just count them to determine how much cases of that specific cancer individuals will potentially be diagnosed with. I chose to use a map for this project because it was easier to represent the provinces of Canada. Also, I thought a map was easier and cooler to look at to find out the statistics. I decided to use symbols, emojis, or pictures to represent the data because I find the data is much easier to process.  If you are just looking at numbers, then it might not be as meaningful then if you were looking at pictures.

Also, when I was reading the raw data, sometimes I found it difficult to figure out what it is trying to show or tell me. In addition, If someone younger then me was looking at the statistics they might have a hard time figuring out what some of the words mean. Such as, multiple myeloma or a cervical. So, with an image they can tell right away what part of the body the data is referring to or what it is. I also find with images, the statistics or data stick with me much longer than numbers. I can remember it much faster. If I wanted to recall what type of cancer is on the rise in BC, I might remember it more clearly because there was an image there to represent the number or type of cancer. Overall, I just found it more interesting to look pictures rather than numbers on a bar chart or a table. It holds more value and makes me more interested in the science or the developing world around me.

The new data:

(You can zoom in and out to locate the provinces of Canada and get a more clearer look at the pictures).

Core competency:

Sources:
1. Cancer statistics: https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-101/canadian-cancer-statistics/?region=on
2. Emojis found on: https://jschoi.org/20/body-emoji/
3. Website I used: https://flourish.studio

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