Data Visualization, Gehry Building, Highline

Data Visualization

I really enjoyed the article on data visualization because it fused together a lot of different things I have focused on lately digitally. In terms of physically visualizing data, there are tons of web apps out there right now that let you track twitter trends and graph/illustrate them for analytic purposes. Wordnik uses data visualization (check out "bacon" for example) to help illustrate how frequently a word is being used on Twitter.

I think for larger consumer companies, especially, data visualization can be a great tool for understanding consumer behavior patterns in a new way.

Another thing Tanneeru mentioned is a trend towards hyperlocal news and how data visualization is contributing to that. Rachel Sterne, CEO of Groundreport founded a company based on the democratization of journalism via the Internet and hyperlocal news. With tons of hyperlocal online companies emerging (even the New York Times has hyperlocal blogs), I'm curious to see if data visualization will play a role in shaping these news sources.

Gehry Building and Highline

The Highline has to be one of my favorite new spots in Manhattan. Prior to our trip, I had only visited the Highline at night so I'm glad we got to check it out during the day time. The aesthetics in day light seem different and I think the landscaping was particularly stunning when it was bright enough outside for me to appreciate it.

The Gehry Building adds extra grandeur to the already breathtaking piece of art/history/architecture/public park that is The Highline. Looking over the Hudson, the building is typical of Gehry's work and actually is reminiscent for me, of a ring I have in sterling silver that he designed for Tiffany and Co. The ring has the same sharp, contrasted, geometric shape and if multiple were stacked, the structure would create a miniature sterling silver structure. This is part of what makes Gehry's work so fascinating and aesthetically pleasing, it is both unique and ubiquitous.