1. VISUALIZATION BASICS DH Bootcamp @UNL 2016 A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Humanities Jennifer Isasi PhD Candidate in Hispanic Studies Text Analysis and Networks

2. Overview of this workshop What is data visualization? Data vs. Big Data Introduction to #dataviz in the Humanities Type of representations in the Humanities Tools for data visualization Voyant RAW Polinode Timeline JS Storymap JS

3. What is data visualization? Nothing new! L. Euler (18thC) on the Königsberg's dilemma presented in abstract terms - bridges as edges and land as nodes A symbolic representation of data A physical representation of abstract information A technique used to communicate data as a visual object to explain or clarify information usually presented in long-form prose, to enable research (not designed but computed) Effective dataviz takes advantage of our “pre- attentive attributes” that allow us to process line length, shape orientation and color easily. Bar graph vs pie chart “The main goal of data visualization is to communicate information clearly and effectively through graphical means. It doesn’t mean that data visualization needs to look boring to be functional or extremely sophisticated to look beautiful” (Friedman, 2008) “Excellence in statistical graphics consists of complex ideas communicated with clarity, precision and efficienciy…graphics reveal data” (Tufte, 1983)

4. Data visualization in the Humanities Because it can feature relationships between: Quantitative values Non-quantitative values in nature Social networks Non-quantitative values + quantitative values Social networks + number of times two entities interact It allows scholars to perceive patterns It is used to expand the scope of research discover and/or generate original knowledge represent the process or the end result Scholars are using charts, maps, networks, etc. to represent their data as a complement on their texts/results or/and as the only possible way to interpret their data More importantly: trying to represent data exposes computational processes and makes us think about research/study/inspection of data

5. Types of representations in the Humanities Charts/Graphs or quantitative diagrams Graphical representation of data Quantitative data and text 1 st : Vonnegut’s “Shapes of Stories”Shapes of Stories Quantitative analysis of sentiment in novels Jockers’ ”Plot Trajectory: Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist” Trees or morphological diagrams A representation of forms that change diverging from each other Materialization of multiplicity out of unity Darwin’s “Tree of life”

6. Types of representations in the Humanities Maps or spatial diagrams A symbolic representation of elements in space S. Lawrence, E. Lorang, K. Price and K. Winkle: Civil War Washington (UNL) Networks or social graph A representation of a set of actors and their interactions Moretti’s “Antigone” by Sophocles

7. Types of representations in the Humanities Wordclouds A symbolic representation of word frequency count in texts M. Jockers, “Topic of wo rds in Moby Dick” Timelines A display of a list of events in chronological order Revolutionary User Interface, By TimelineJS

8. To create visualizations at a beginner’s level, we want tools that are: Intuitive Easy to use Free or cheap Provided by an academic institution rather than a company Allow easy import of data Allow easy export of visualizations Exports can be embedded in our website Example: If you need to create a simple visualization for a social network, you can use Polinode or Paladio (intuitive) instead of Gephi (complex)

9. TOOLS FOR DATA VISUALIZATION No programming needed!

10. Voyant for wordclouds voyant-tools.org voyant-tools.org Web-based reading and analysis environment for digital texts. You can use it To learn how computers- assisted analysis works; To study texts; To add functionality to your online collections; To add interactive evidence to your essays; To develop your own tools.  Easy, clear, free Created by Stefan Sinclair, Prof. of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at McGill U. and Geoffrey Rockwell, Prof. of Philosophy and Humanities Computing at U. of Alberta

11. RAW for graphs raw.densitydesign.org raw.densitydesign.org An alluvial diagram of Act 12 in La Celestina Speaker total word count number of total words recipient character-space lines to each receiver (Woloch) Open web-app to created custom vector-based visualizations. You can Import your data to be processes ONLY by the browser – no copy Customize diagrams Export the object in different formats to embed them in web pages or research papers Download and modify the project  Clear, free Created by Density Design, a research lab on visual representations of the Politecnico di Milano

12. Polinode for networks polinode.com polinode.com Network of La Celestia Act 12 Web-based network analysis system. Data can be imported or collected on the platform. You can use it To create visualizations To calculate 20 different metrics To collaborate To do relationship – based surveys To export your data  Easy, clear, basic free plan

13. TimelineJS for timelines timeline.knightlab.com timeline.knightlab.com Women in Computing An open-source tool to build visually rich, interactive timelines. You need: Their Google spreadsheet Your data: Text Numbers Video Music Pictures You can customize the result and embed it to your website  Easy, clear, fun Created by the Knight Lab of technologists and journalists at Northwestern University

14. Storymap for maps & pictures storymap.knightlab.com storymap.knightlab.com A SnapMap of the US Manifest Destiny A Gigapixel of Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights” A free tool to tell stories that highlight the location of a series of events. You need: A story to tell Locations Pictures You can create a Gigapixel map SnapMap You can customize the result and embed it to your website  Easy, intuitive, fun Created by the Knight Lab of technologists and journalists at Northwestern University

15. Storymap for maps & pictures storymap.knightlab.com storymap.knightlab.com A SnapMap of the US Manifest Destiny A Gigapixel of Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights” A free tool to tell stories that highlight the location of a series of events. You need: A story to tell Locations Pictures You can create a Gigapixel map SnapMap You can customize the result and embed it to your website  Easy, intuitive, fun Created by the Knight Lab of technologists and journalists at Northwestern University

16. References Few, Stephen. (2004) “35. Data Visualization for Human Perception” in M. Soegaard and R. Friss Dam, The Encyclopedia of Human- Computer Interaction, 2nd edition. https://www.interaction-design.org https://www.interaction-design.org Friedman, Vitaly. (2008) "Data Visualization and Infographics" in: Graphics, Monday Inspiration, January 14th, 2008. Mereilles, Isabel (2013) Design for Information: An introduction to the histories, theories, and best practices behind effective information visualizations. Tufte, Edward (1983). The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press.