Representation of economic data - a multimedia approach

An Article by Dipl.Ing. Volker Schweisfurth (www.meliesart.de)

 Business data become innovative illustrations. Two years ago, I presented a more general approach to include all forms of data representation: Flat, animated, tangible and with immersive tools (AR/VR) – to exploit more input channels of our brain in order to improve memorability and reproduction- and to facilit?te group activities. And the illustration process should take place with as few media breaks as possible. See Illu 2 of # https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/data-visualizations-jellies-ocean-volker-schweisfurth/ :

The following 11 short chapters habe been published this spring 2020 as “contributions“ on LinkedIn and have been slightly worked over here.

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (1)

An example: The WEF has published on the question "Which countries are ready for the future of production? #https://lnkd.in/dVj4s8V . The authors, however, remained conservative in terms of visualization. For example, the narrative of a "balloon regatta" can be used to convey the topic in a handy way.

The mentioned chart of the WEF study is reproduced in ILLU 1 on the left with its x- axis "Structure of Production Score" (1-10) and y "Drivers of Production" Score (1-10). Both scorings are dealt with in depth in the study. Using a CAD program, we are now transforming additional data into physical "balloons" (in Illu 1, right). Later we will have them float in the portfolio landscape using augmented reality or animate the scoring landscape.

Let me repeat: The distribution of the "leading countries" on the surface is reproduced in the CAD file with spatial bodies ("Balloons"). Then we are able to animate the landscape on the right side of Illu 1 and later on we can "walk" through this landscape in AR/VR. More in the next contribution !

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (2)

In part 1, I presented the upgrade of a scatterchart. Starting point was a illustration from "Which countries are ready for the future of production?“ #https://lnkd.in/dVj4s8V . The CAD file "Leading Countries" -created as described above- can easily be used for a narratively appealing 'augmented reality' visualization. Here, the surface in front of me is a "sailing board game" from 1968. It serves as backdrop and real background.

The "balloon" CAD- file is downloaded to the IPad- Viewer of the CAD- program, where it is opened, rotated and AR- photographed (see Illu 2).This is quite easy and will become even more effective when Apple 2021 embeds the AR features in a better form, e.g. with a kind of LIDAR system on the iPad.

On the topic of AR content: Also, e.g. balance sheet items of corporations look surprising and memorable when projected onto the meeting table as solid cubes...In part (3) let us compare the "data balloons" and how to animate their landscape.

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (3)

In parts (1) and (2), I took a scatterchart from the excellent WEF- Study #https://lnkd.in/dVj4s8V and upgraded the x/y datapoints for 18 ?leading countries“ into sort of data balloons - capable of delivering up to ten pieces of information, among them charts as from the #https://oec.world/en/ ( the world's leading visualization engine for international trade data) and from Wolrd Bank. I designed these balloons with a CAD program, having following applications in mind: smart illustrations, animation, 3D print and AR/VR.

Find below Illu 3 that exhibits shapes and sizes of the country balloons.

India has beeen attached just for comparison purposes. In the study mentioned, India does not rank among the leading countries, but only as “high potential“ with – compared to China- weaker study scorings, smaller GDPppp, lower manufacturing output and much less favourable “Doing Business“ Ranking. In part (4), I am going to have these balloons “fly“ over one or two 3D- printed data landscapes (as an example, see #https://lnkd.in/dgSmPp5)

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (4)

In parts (1) - (3), I upgraded a scatterchart from the excellent WEF- study #https://lnkd.in/dVZz2cY , created for 18 ?leading countries“ sort of data balloons with additional data by using a CAD program, with different applications in mind: (see part 1).Find below Illu 4, also see https://lnkd.in/dZdfgir : I took Excel data I used for CAD and made an table with economic key data on China.

By taking my Ipad with its AR feature I had this table hovering over some pieces of my collection of (physical) 3D- printed datasculptures. These sculpures here had been printed to contribute to World Bank's remarkable yearly ?Doing Business“ studies at #https://lnkd.in/dKNfQVQ .

For this approach here, there is some room for improvement. You lay out the models, make the iPad glide over them and take pictures: Virtual surfaces added by the AR feature are not always fully replicated (frequency noise?), this should be fixed by the app.

In any case, data sculptures can be "questioned" in this way. Next text chapter will focus on virtual reality (VR) representation of data landscapes (in general).

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (5)

Parts (1) - (4) took as a starting point the excellent WEF- Study #https://lnkd.in/dVj4s8V ;I upgraded one of it′s scattercharts and blended into some ideas about smart illustrations, 3D print, animation, and augmented/ virtual reality (AR/VR) of datasets.

Let me comment on what physical dataSculptures can achieve: Better memorization of data and information by

a) embodiment of data and slowing down of the visual act (keep the sculpture on your desk) (see Illu 4)... High- ranking users: The President of Sierra Leone prints datasculptures in his office #https://lnkd.in/dt9Qc_f ;

b) haptic experience ( touch it, discuss it, pass it on with a comment ) as an additional input channel for the brain

c) “spatial reasoning“, not yet a buzzword.. See #https://lnkd.in/dGipumT .

d)a specific advantage of CAD use ( see #https://lnkd.in/d2C9x-b ) is the simple transition to making animations like flyovers of the designed data sculpture, see my video #https://lnkd.in/djW43a3 .

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (6)

Parts (1) - (5) dealt with smart illustrations,3D printed datasculptures,AR, using sets of economic data. Virtual reality is different: Bodyless users totally immerse into an imaginary world. So let us ask art about it- leading artist are frontrunners. Giulia Banz: “You can focus on the decline in separation between virtual and real areas...There is the additional possibility to simulate plausible scenarios around you, but without any physical consequences. This ... impression could retrospectively lead to further awareness in our real world“ (?https://lnkd.in/dNjbby4 See Bowinkel/Banz′amazing “Palo Alto“ immersion (with HTC Vive HMD) ( ILLU 5) at an exhibition- and visit virtual museums: VR will offer additional thrill for data presentation/ planning purposes.

 Keywords are: Immersion ( realistic physics, graphics, data tables, movement, haptics); presence – wide field-of-view, high definition images; virtual avatars, free movement – 360-degree mobility not bound by wires, shared digital space (everyone can interact with each other);dynamic spectating to view VR activities from outside, maybe “VR company theaters“. In Part (7) then see a piece of my experience.

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (7)

Contributions 1) - (6) dealt with smart illustrations, 3D printed datasculptures, AR and an artist′s use of VR; emphasising the opportunities. Here I pick up a 3D- printed business datasculpture of mine (see video #https://lnkd.in/d5XwVZz ), connecting it to the "data landscape" / planning sandbox issue(see #https://lnkd.in/dgSmPp5 ). VR looks good to enhance planning beyond the usual; let's imagine: A walk through the warehouse of key balance sheet figures, the long distance- march to new investment locations, a flight over the tax havens of corporations or - as here - the virtual inspection of the "Manhattan of the multinationals", something like the FORBES 200 (s Illu 7).

The underlying CAD data file had been imported into a Unity (cross-platform game) engine and set up for the HTC Vive VR glasses. The data sculptures can also be made available for standalone glasses (Oculus Go/Quest). Flyover of some scenes in VR is here #https://lnkd.in/dkb3R8m .In part (8) we see some more examples.

Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (8)

My contributions (1) - (7) dealt with smart illustrations, 3D printed datasculptures and their use in mixed media (AR/VR). Here my approach reg. “active data physicalization“ ( flexible, shape-changing or moving data representations- as for dynamic data series, interactive feedback or deeper understanding).

Illu 8 shows an example: As illustration base, I took Illu 3 from # https://lnkd.in/gwz65cC. Please look there for details. The datasculpture exhibits GDP areas (x/y) and Doing Business Rankings (z) . Illu 8 focuses on the opportunities to “look and touch“ the data (3D datasculpure), to walk through them ( in VR) and to interact with the 3d printed models′surface by a)acoustic queries and b) exhibiting additional information on attached minidisplays. For a) and b) I am holding a German patent. I′ll come to that later.

Let us remember that it it easy to animate data sculptures – and to use them in VR or on channels like Vimeo orYouTube; see my “Virtual flight over 160 Economies“ under #https://lnkd.in/dUaKQ94 Next contributions will deal with acoustic and visual querying of my 3D- printed data sculptures.

And please remember from my intro: ?I present a more general approach to include all forms of data representation: Flat, animated, tangible and with immersive tools (AR/VR) – to exploit more input channels of our brain in order to improve memorability and reproduction- and to facilit?te group activities. And the illustration process should take place with as few media breaks as possible.“

 Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (9)

My last contribution dealt with some comments on “active data physicalization“. At a LinkedIn in 2017 I wrote "Let's save the data from the Internet- by embodiment" and in my current field of work (data representation) I am trying to generate spatialization and remembrance.An example: The World Bank has been publishing top-level location comparisons for many years (“Doing Business“); annual studies measuring the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it #https://lnkd.in/dd_Rtew ,which result in tabular country rankings.

I embodied the the ranking histories (10 years / 10 sub-rankings per country) to compare the country profiles at a glance physically and to preserve the history of legal adjustments; see "Regulation Mountains" on #https://lnkd.in/dE8XX_R for executives' boardrooms ,thereby making typical patterns visible at a glance.

A highly interesting case - because of its importance as a business location - is the People's Republic of China: the country only managed to catch up with the investment conditions of the top 20% of countries two years ago. The prototype shown in Illu 9 (tiled 3D print) accentuates the potential of acoustic questioning of activated points on the surface.

 Making economic data more visible- an alternative route (10)

My contributions (1) - (9) dealt with 3D printed datasculptures, their link to mixed media (AR/VR) and acoustic querying of physical data models. See my article on #https://lnkd.in/dp6ngfv I mentioned that “surfaces of the printed data body will be equipped with flexible displays and become interactive“..( Illu 3 there). With a German patent on that, I work on steps of prototyping. Test configuration is a Raspberry network with microdisplays (see Illu 10 ); support structure will be 3D- printed from plastics. Prototyping will need some time, because cutting- edge microdisplays are still expensive/not yet “tailored“ and integrated production/assembling of 3D printed structure plus electronics not sufficiently mature. In the end, there will be physical data bodies like on # https://lnkd.in/dXahPhJ that can be queried and will exhibit changing visual output, like on #https://lnkd.in/dvnvi9m –

Innovative data representation- a process micro-primer (11)

In my recent contributions (1) - (10) I gave an idea of my works for better data handling- by emphazising the use of making 3D- printed datasculptures and linking them to mixed media (AR/VR). In Illu 11 you see the process itself and its components, offering a sort of micro-primer.

It goes without saying that for educational purposes, also “easier“ forms should be included, like using cut polystyrene blocks, LEGO pieces and innovative presentations in the “Hans Rosling style“. I′ll come to that (and to many other issues) later. When I get sufficient feedback. I would like to learn from your suggestions, questions and your own work in this field. For additional infomation, see my #www.meliesart.de and on YouTube as well as on the Vimeo platform. Working together “beyond data flatland“ is a thrilling subject..

Is the EU a flying fish - prey between frigatebird and dolphinfish?

If you take a closer look at the three superpowers, you would say: No. The US are richer, politically more divided and population will age over the next ten years just like us. We as European nations represent a colourful bunch with slightly lower incomes, but we could make "1000 flowers bloom" because of our cultures. If you think of Russia, Europe will have a lot on the scales

The next illustration (without number) will offer some details.

China is the poorest superpower in terms of per capita income, with an incredible number of people, but also an ageing nation with an atypical age pyramid - a hallmark of authoritarian (one child policy) policy. Let us as Europeans make something of our freedom and colourfulness

What will the Corona Crisis mean for leading countries

I took those leading countries identified by a WEF team (see #https://lnkd.in/dVj4s8V ): China, USA. Japan, Germany, Rep. Korea, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, etc.

If you use some additional parameters , you get the picture of a fleet. See the Illu below. An overriding factor will be the ongoing speed-up of automation/ digital technologies and the power of platform companies. In general, there will be greater focus on crisis preparedness, systems resilience- and maybe on social inequality, social solidarity, and access to health care.

Will the international production chains break? In the next contribution, I will try to offer a rather reassuring answer- by looking at the production patterns and trade flows of the "Big Five"

Mutual exports of the "Big Five": Will production chains break up?

What will happen? See the condensed Illu below with all export compositions of 2017 including the underlying five product spaces (see "Observatory of Economic Complexity“).

The majority of exported goods consist of technical goods and istruments (blue, pink, violet). China, South Korea and Japan score points with sophisticated electronics industries The US is the only country that strategically can offer large agricultural exports (orange) and, on the other, has a strong trade gap with China. What to do? “In country“ production depth at OEMs can be increased, and how much of the companies' production could become relocated to the home country, depends above all on where the markets of tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be... And suddenly India may be on the target list - it is not among the 20 leading countries, but it will surpass China with its population in these years.

Positions in the digital ra

USA is still leading in digital technology, investment conditions, is a frontrunner in production networks (s.OEC) and offers a strong local market with elastic and first-class innovation potential, driven by the strongest platform economy in the world. China has made an unnoticed leap in the "doing business" ranking (World Bank) in the last two years, features the world's largest manufacturing industry and, with its population, the medium-term largest home market for digital goods, and has successfully copied the platform approach. Asian Tigers such as Taiwan and Rep.Korea have so far coped well with the C19 crisis and continue to present themselves as digital cooperation partners. The European countries still have very different levels in their digital economies, but they may be able to benefit from targeted Brussels programmes with leverage on the EU market.

And this describes the main field, with the exception of solitary ones such as Israel or Switzerland. Countries in the vicinity of India, whose possibilities seem extremely limited, follow at a distance. The country has also never made any convincing location offers.”Promising countries" of earlier decades such as Brazil and Indonesia play no part here. ( I used IMD, WB, OEC).

By the way, a segment for the USA also to score: More than every second dollar (55%) of global venture capital investments from 2013 to 2018 went to the USA, China 25%, Japan 3%, Switzerland 1%, Germany 0.5% (source: VDI Nachrichten 10 July 2020, p.19)

This last illustration below describes how the different forms of data representation: can be used to exploit more input channels of our brain in order to improve memorability and reproduction, The tools themselves can facilit?te group activities: 3D- printed models can be handed round, become objects like sculptures, can be queried acoustically or via displays ; and data reprensentations can be beamed on AR glasses or via head mounted devices (HMD) into total immersion environments, where many people can participate via their avatars: Think of a guided expedition into the Asian investment landscapes...

An article for LinkedIn by Volker Schweisfurth (#www.meliesart.de ) 7-2020