Interactive examples

BBC News uses data wisely in “Mapping UK’s Teen Murder Toll”

BBC launched an informative multimedia package titled “Mapping UK’s Teen Murder Toll” right before Christmas. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about death around the holidays, so I decided to put this project off until the new year. As we jump head first into January, I would now like to highlight BBC for their great use of data visualization in this latest project.

BBC’s package is divided into four sections: a text overview, the database of victims, victim-map mashup, and a slew of statistics.

This project reminds me of LA Times’ homicide map, which I wrote about in a previous post. (The package has been on hiatus since November, but if you haven’t seen it yet, bookmark it for later reference.)

One thing I particularly enjoyed about the LA Times’ project was the level of interactivity within the data sets. I would have liked to see the same interaction with the BBC News piece, but I was still happy to see them visualizing the data, albeit with still graphics.

There is something to be said when journalists are able to put a face with a name for their readers. Unfortunately, people are desensitized to crime stories. However, the photo database of victims takes storytelling to an entirely new level as users unintentionally create a personal bond to these otherwise strangers.

I would be interested in hearing what feedback BBC received from this package and if it sparked any change in the area. If you are a BBC producer or know of one, please let us know!

Update: Reporter Chris Jeavans contacted me to let me know that they will be publishing updates to the package, including interactive elements with the data. She will let us know when they roll out the next version, so stay tuned!

Other posts that might interest you:

• Times are tough? Get inspired!
• Tampa Bay Mug Shots utilizes Django for innovative database
• Death Perceptions combines compelling storytelling with reinforcing data

© 18 January 2009 Innovative Interactivity (II).