The map itself plots the leading internet names onto a map of the Tokyo metro system in a very original and novel way. And giving you data in many dimensions.
At first, the map might look too complex to understand. But when you take a closer look, there is much thought about it.
The funny thing about the map is, that the different social media companies are placed carefully at the metro stations that fits them.
For example, Twitter is placed in "Shibuya", apparently a train station with the biggest buzz.
The infograpic seems quite dense in the beginning - because you ask yourself where to start. But as you get used to the complex metro map, it takes you on a journey as you explore the map.
And you also gradually find out that the map is actually quite detailed and transmit data in multiple dimensions: The differnt branches are painted with different colors and with explanations between the stations. There are some cute decoration in the infographic: The small executive persons from the different companies standing next to their offices - waiting for the metro.
Wow, this is an excellent example for a functional info graphic. I really love these kind of graphics with so many nice details. Nevertheless you won't get lost in the details because of the sophisticated color concept. The abstraction seems humorous because of the imitation of the metro system. Also the allegorical meaning with the real metro system is great - making it much more interesting for "insiders". I also found a nice info graphic that illustrates the evolution of the web: http://evolutionofweb.appspot.com/?hl=en-gb
ReplyDeleteIt works as well with lines and colors, but using buttons for interaction. That makes it much easier to explore the details and to add some more features. I think your example would also work in such an interactive environment.
Lisa G! Thank you for the tip, it's astonishing! Talk about several usefull layers in an infograhic.
DeleteHi Christian! This example of infographic about the map on Tokyo is so abstract and complex in my opinion, it has a lot of density even if it's novel cause only talk about one topic. This kind of graphic is unfamiliar to me and even it's seems aesthetical for the colors used there's too many information not so well explained.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna. I agree that the infographic is very heavy. I had, too, never seen such an infographic before. I mean: I have seen infographic designed as metro maps, but this one takes it to another level: There are different layers in the infographic explaining different types of data.
DeleteWhen it is done like this, I am sure it will attract some viewers and scare others.