information aesthetics

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Google Maps Gallery Highlights Specialized Maps based on Public Data Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST Google recently launched a dedicated Maps Gallery [google.com] to showcase a collection of hand-picked maps from several preferred organizations, such as the National Geographic, the U.S. Geological Survey or the City of Edmonton. It is the goal that in the future, people will find most maps not through the gallery, but via the standard search results. The included maps range from the somewhat unappealing population statistics map based based on data from the World Bank, over an intriguing overview map of all fastfood location in the US, to the beautifully rendered Dominican Republic AdventureMap by the National Geographic. Participants who apply for the program and are selected by Google receive free access to the enterprise version of Google Maps Engine, which includes specific connectors that facilitates easy importation of public data. Via TechCrunch, The Verge, CNET, and many others.

On The Role Data Visualization Plays in the Scientific Process Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:09 PM PST In a new exhibition titled Beautiful Science: Picturing Data, Inspiring Insight [bl.uk], the British Library pays homage to the important role data visualization plays in the scientific process. The exhibition can be visited from 20 February until 26 May 2014, and contains works ranging from John Snow's plotting of the 1854 London cholera infections on a map to colourful depictions of the Tree of Life. "Science is beautiful... but we can also bring an aesthetic to it with makes it so much more impactful and can allow to have your ideas a much greater reach" In a Nature Video, watchable below, curator Johanna Kieniewicz explores some of the beautiful examples of visualizations that are exhibited.