Physicalizations of Big Data in Ethnographic Context

Jacob Buur*, Sara Said Mosleh, Christina Fyhn Nielsen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

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    Abstract

    With the Big Data hype, making digital data accessible and relatable for non-data experts is becoming an increasing challenge. In this paper we suggest Data Physicalization as a novel approach to facilitate conversations with collaborators about the meaning of data. While this challenge has been approached with data visualizations before, we propose that Data Physicalizations can bring stronger engagement and even more depth to the data than visualizations can offer. Based on four design examples, we investigate how data, when made physical, can be used to instigate valuable reflections between field researchers and non-data experts, and can serve as a platform for design. In all cases we worked with Data Physicalization to enhance our own understanding of the field, to engage collaborators in sense-making, and to move towards design proposals. In the concluding section we discuss the intricate process of developing such Data Physicalizations
    and suggest traits that make them successful.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEPIC: Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference
    Volume2018
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)86-103
    ISSN1559-890X
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018
    EventEthnographic Praxis in Industry Conference - Hawaii, Honolulu, United States
    Duration: 10. Oct 201812. Oct 2018
    https://2018.epicpeople.org/

    Conference

    ConferenceEthnographic Praxis in Industry Conference
    LocationHawaii
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityHonolulu
    Period10/10/201812/10/2018
    Internet address

    Keywords

    • Data Physicalization
    • Big Data

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